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Entered according to Act of the Provincial Legislature, in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, by
HENRY MELVILLE, M.D., in the Office of the Registrar of
tfie Province of Canada.
THE RISE AM) PROGRESS
OF
TRINITY COLLEGE, TORONTO ;
A SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF THE
LORD BISHOP OF TORONTO,
AS CONNECTED WITH CHURCH EDUCATION TK CANADA,
v\i»C c.%'^
BY (;> f<
HENRY MEL: / M.D.,,
PKOI'EaSOK OF fJ
SECOND EDITION.
TORONTO :
HENRY ROWSELL.
1852.
GNiC VERSION
AVAILABU
TO THE
BENEFACTORS
OF
TRINITY COLLEGE, TORONTO,
THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED,
AS A MEMORIAL OF THEIR CHRISTIAN EXERTIONS
IN THE FURTHERANCE OF
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
COPYRIGHT SECURED.
Entered in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of the
Province of Canada, 4 and 5 Victoria, Cap. 61, in the office of the Registrar of
the Province, at Toronto, April, 1852, by Henry Melville.
PREFACE.
THE only merit claimed for this Work, is due to the
industry required for the compilation of the materials of
which it is principally composed, and the care bestowed
upon its preparation for, and progress through the Press.
The motive which induced its publication, was a desire
to preserve in a compact and more permanent form, than
that in which they already existed, the various documents,
which had from time to time appeared in the public
Journals, connected with the establishment of this noble
institution and the several interesting ceremonies which
have marked its progress. ,
Such a memorial of their Christian exertions on behalf of
Religious education, and of the untiring and successful
championship of our Venerable Diocesan, it was hoped,
would prove acceptable to the promoters of the enterprise
in the Province, and the Church at large.
In connecting the narrative of these interesting circum-
stances, it was impossible to avoid all comment on the
causes which instigated the movement for the establishment
of a Church University, or the obstacles which have been
PREFACE.
encountered in carrying out the design. For the opinions
expressed in these commentaries the compiler alone is
responsible. He is under many obligations to the Lord
Bishop for permission to use the various documents here
published, as well as for the most important information
and assistance in the preparation of the book. To the
Honourable Chief Justice Robinson and the Venerable
Archdeacon Bethune, his acknowledgments are due for
permission to use their respective manuscripts, and for
several valuable suggestions. To the Reverend Provost
Whittaker he would also express his thanks for a similar
favour ; and to the Reverend R. J. Macgeorge, for material
aid in the completion of the undertaking.
Not the least attractive part of the publication remains to
be noticed. The Biographical Memoir of the Lord Bishop,
which is incorporated with this history, has been prepared
from the most authentic sources ; and is offered as a tribute
of respect to those who know how to appreciate his sterling
character, his benevolence and pastoral care, and who
cherish the remembrance of long years of personal friend-
ship and communion with him.
INTRODUCTION,
THE earliest records of Collegiate Institutions afford
convincing evidence, that they sprung from an earnest
desire entertained by learned and enterprising men, to
disseminate among others the knowledge they had acquired
after careful and fruitful study; and to awaken and pro-
mote an appetite and love for those literary pursuits which
they had found so captivating and beneficial. In carrying
out so noble and philanthrophic a design, they associated
themselves for the purpose of delivering public instruction,
to all who were desirous of embracing the opportunity and
advantage thus offered to them. The schools then formed,
became the models on which the establishments of future
ages were founded by public authority, under the style of
Universities.
The relative antiquity of the several schools of this early
period has been the cause of much learned and keen
controversy. Whether Paris or Bologna should take pre-
cedence, or whether Oxford and Cambridge should not
share in the renown of being the first pioneers of learning
with their Continental contemporaries, although a question
of peculiar interest to the antiquarian Scholar, is not alto-
gether relevant to our present purpose. The principal and
important points which we seek to establish are, that from
their commencement, these institutions have been recog-
INTRODUCTION.
nized and upheld by regal favour and public authority; that
religious instruction was a primary feature, arid formed the
fundamental basis of the system of education ; and that
they were closely connected with ecclesiastical establish-
ments, and under the supervision and control of episcopal
functionaries.
Much traditionary narrative is mixed up with the history
of these primitive seminaries, in which their existence is
attributed to the munificence of kings, and the protection
of royal authority. Although the result of voluntary efforts
as already stated, there yet appears to be every reason for
supposing, that they speedily attracted and engaged the
attention of the reigning monarchs. To Charlemagne is
ascribed the honour of founding the University of Paris.
The character of this sovereign as recorded in the pages
of history, justifies the belief that he was sincere in his
efforts to " diffuse among his subjects generally some por-
tion of education, and particularly among the clergy and
those designed for the sacred profession. For this purpose
he enacted that schools should be established in all epis-
copal and collegiate churches, and that these should be open
to all students." (a) The public recognition of the University
of Paris by other sovereigns is clearly established. In 1169,
Henry II. of England offered to refer his dispute with
Becket to this school ;(£>) and we find that the influence
exercised by it speedily aroused the jealousy of the Roman
a. Professor Maiden, on the Origin of Universities. [We acknowledge our
obligations to this little work, for many of the statements here given. It is
replete with information of the most curious and valuable description, and in the
absence of many of the authorities referred to, we have freely availed ourselves
of the fruits of his industry and researches.]
b, Hallam, Middle Ages, chap. ix. part 2.
INTRODUCTION. 9
Pontiffs. Decrees were issued by Alexander and Innocent,
declaring the qualifications of teachers, regulating the fees,
and confirming the validity of titles and degrees. The
teachers and learners were not tardy in perceiving the
advantages of the unity thus conferred upon them by the
highest power in Christendom ; and in the most ancient
deed of the University which has been preserved, of the
date A. D. 1221, they adopt the style, " We, the University
of the Masters and Scholars of Paris." (c) During the
pontificate of Nicholas IV., the privileges of this University
were extended in a remarkable manner by a decree which
conferred upon the doctors who were there approved, the
valuable distinction of being accounted doctors everywhere,
and the power of teaching, lecturing, and directing public
schools." (d) The right of any sovereign to erect a Univer-
sity in his own dominions was never questioned, but it was
the pope alone who could make the degrees valid beyond
the limits of the university in which they were conferred,
and give them an authority through Christendom. This
doctrine appears to have been expressly stated in the bull of
Nicholas V., by which the University of Glasgow was
established. (e) Louis VII. and his son Philip Augustus
conferred upon the members of this University several
peculiar privileges and legal exemptions. (/) These privi-
leges were confirmed and extended by subsequent monarchs,
Philip the Fair, Philip de Valois, John, Charles V. and
Charles VI., having each and all bestowed upon it some
marks of royal favour ; in the instance of the latter king,
c. Maiden quoting Crevier.
d. Maiden as above.
«. From the report of the Commission of Enquiry into the Universities of
Scotland.
/. Du Boullay, History of the University of Parig.
,JO INTRODUCTION.
these were of such a liberal nature as to have given rise to
the style of "the first-born daughter of the king," as
applied to the University. (g)
In 1158, the University of Bologna was similarly em-
powered by the Emperor Frederic Barbarossa, and under
the guidance of the celebrated Irnerius it continued to
derive, from time to time, great countenance and authority
from the Republic of Bologna, the Emperors Henry V. and
Lothaire. Nor was the interest thus manifested confined to
mere acts of recognition or decrees of authority, but it was
displayed in beneficial deeds of a substantial nature, which
evinced a strong personal regard for the welfare and cha-
racter of the institution. Tims the Emperor Frederic II.,
about the year 1220, transmitted to the philosophical school
certain works of Aristotle and other philosophers, which he
had caused to be translated into Latin from the original
Greek or from Arabic versions, (h)
The University of Salerno, principally and justly cele-
brated as the first and most famous school of medicine, is
said to have been established by Roger I., Prince of
Salerno ; and subsequently received a constitution from
Frederic II., (i) who also founded the University of Naples.
This latter establishment never attained any great celebrity,
nor were its degrees much regarded by other Universities ;
a circumstance which is ascribed by Savigny to the fact,
that the degrees were formally conferred by the King him-
self, and not by the academical faculties. Maiden curiously
g. On the authority Conringitw from Filesac.
h. Maiden from Conringius.
i. Maiden from Conringius.
INTRODUCTION. 1 1
enough explains it by supposing, "that as Frederic was
always denounced as the enemy of the Church, the degrees
never received from the Popes that catholic extension,
which the Pope alone was considered to have the power
of giving."
The oldest tradition concerning the University of Oxford
is, that it was founded by King Alfred, about the year 890,
a statement which is thus defended by Mr. Hallam : " Since
a school for dialectics and rhetoric subsisted at Oxford, a
town of but middling sizej and not the seat of a bishop, we
are naturally led to refer its foundation to one of our kings :
and none who had reigned after Alfred appears to have
manifested such zeal for learning." (j ) The accuracy of
this tradition appears to be questioned, but however this
may be, there is no doubt that it received the countenance
and favour of Henry II. and Richard, and that during their
reigns it grew up into a most flourishing condition. It
was called a University in a public instrument of John
A. D. 1201, a date earlier than any at which the word ia
applied to Paris. (k) Its earliest charter was conferred by
John ; its privileges were confirmed and extended by Henry
III., Edwards I., II., and III., and by succeeding kings.(/)
The privileges of both Oxford and Cambridge, now depend
upon an act of incorporation, which was passed in the 13th
of Elizabeth, A. D. 1570. The University of Oxford was
also confirmed by papal authority, and was mentioned in the
constitutions published by Clement V., after the Council of
Vienne A. D. 1311 ; the authority of the popes, however,
j. Middle Ages, chap. ix. part 2.
k. From Dyer.
/. Maiden.
12 INTRODUCTION.
was but little regarded by several monarchs. Edward I.
published a brief, which was confirmed by the parliament,
against the proceedings of the preaching friars at Oxford,
although supported by papal bulls.(?w) Edward HI. also
issued an ordinance, in consequence of petitions from the
Universities on the one hand, and the mendicant orders on
the other, by which it was enacted, "that all bulls and
processes issuing from the court of Rome, and procured by
the friars against either of the Universities or any person in
them, should thenceforth be absolutely null and void."(w)
Collegiate foundations were established in Oxford at a
very early period ; University and Baliol Colleges, during
the reign of Henry III. ; Merton College, in that of Edward
I. ; and Oriel with the license of Edward If. " So little
honour/' says Professor Maiden, is " attached in history to
the memory of this unhappy prince, that it will be charitable
to bear in mind his connection with a foundation which is
now the institution of the greatest utility and highest repu-
tation in the University."
In 1 109, Joffred, Abbot of Croyland, " sent over to his
manor of Cotenham, nigh Cambridge, Gislebert, his fellow
monk and professor of divinity, and three other monks who
followed him into England. From Cotenham they repaired
daily to Cambridge, and there, in a public bam hired for
the purpose, made open profession of their sciences, and in
a little time drew a number of scholars together. "(0) Such
was the unpretending origin of the now famous University
on the banks of the Cam. Mr. Hallam states that the
m. Ayliffe's History ot Oxford.
n. Dyer.
o. Maiden on the authority of Dyer.
1 INTRODUCTION. 1 3
earliest mention of Cambridge, as a place of learning, is in
a passage of Matthew Paris, in which he states that in 1209
many students of Oxford migrated thither, and that they
would not have gone to a town so distant, if it had not been
already a seat of academical instruction. The period of its
first incorporation would appear to have bee a the 15th of
Henry III. in 1231. There is also another royal enactment,
of the 45th of Henry III., in which the privileges of the
University are still more distinctly recognized. The first
formal charter, however, would appear to have been
granted in the 20th of Edward I., which was subsequently
much extended by Edwards If. and III., Richard II. and
Henry IV. ; they were also confirmed by Edwards IV. and
VI. and Elizabeth ; arid finally ratified by an Act of
Parliament for the incorporation of both these Universities,
in the 15th of Elizabeth chap. 29. In the second year of
the pontificate of John XXII., a bull was issued, in which
the privileges conferred by former Popes and Kings were
mentioned and confirmed. From the date of this Rule,
Cambridge was fully recognized by all the Universities of
Christendom. (p) It does not appear, however, to have been
very much troubled with papal bulls and rescripts.
The University of St. Andrews was founded in 1411, by
Henry Wardlaw Bishop of the Diocese ; and upon the
request of James I., the Bishop and the heads of the
Augustinian Priory, a bull was issued in its favour by
Benedict XIII. in 1413. The King also granted to it many
valuable privileges and exceptions. Several other benefac-
tions were conferred upon it by the Church, and were
ratified by the King in 1432.
p. Maiden.
1 4 INTRODUCTION .
The University of Glasgow was established in 1450, by a
bull of Pope Nicholas V., issued at the request of James II.,
who granted to it a royal charter in 1453, conferring the
usual privileges. In 1572, the magistrates of the town
conveyed to the College certain Church property which had
been granted to them, making it a special foundation, and
this endowment and foundation were confirmed by Act of
Parliament. James VI. added largely to the endowment in
1577, and the charter then granted is the basis of its present
constitution.
The University of Old Aberdeen was founded in 1494,
on the models of Paris and Bologna. Marischal College, in
New Aberdeen, which claims to be a separate University,
was founded in 1593, by William Earl of Marischal. The
deed of foundation has been confirmed by Act of Par-
liament,
In 1582, James VI. empowered the Provost and Town
Council of Edinburgh to make certain provisions for the
accommodation of professors of all the faculties and liberal
sciences, and for schools for teaching. In accordance with
this license, they opened an academy, for the use and
benefit of which the King, in 1584, granted certain property
to the magistrates and Town Council ; and in 1612 he gave
a charter confirming all that they had done. In 1821 an
Act of Parliament was passed, by which the erection of the
College, as a College for the profession of theology, phi-
losophy and humanity, and all the existing Royal Acts in
its favour were ratified.
In like manner it might be easily shewn, that all modern
INTRODUCTION. 1 5
institutions, however originating, have considered it neces-
sary to seek for and obtain the Royal sanction and authority,
for establishing the validity of their privileges and the
powers they desired to enjoy ; and that the Sovereign pre-
rogative has been exercised in some instances without, and
in other cases confirmatory of, parliamentary incorporation.
Such instances are however sufficiently patent to the ordi-
nary reader to prevent the necessity of recitation.
One point of great interest in this argument must not
be overlooked. We find in the history of those revolutions
which have altered the political constitution of some
countries, and are justly said to have shaken society in
them to its foundations, that the immunities and posses-
sions derived from such authority, have been almost inva-
riably respected and upheld. Examples of this honourable
and pious observance of chartered powers and vested rights,
are not wanting even where democracy is the ruling prin-
ciple. It is well known, that in the United States there are
institutions which still retain their original charters and
endowments, confirmed by the national government.
To the character of the instruction imparted, even at. the
earliest periods of these schools, we find a religious ten-
dency given — limited it may have been, in accordance with
the spirit of the age — but still sufficiently distinctive.
At the commencement of the 12th century, when the
general gloom which pervaded Europe was dispelled by
the intellectual excitement of individual minds, we find the
study of law and theology revived, and medicine assuming
the character of a science. The learning of the East
15 INTRODUCTION.
began to infuse a new spirit of activity ; the modern lan-
guages were cultivated and formed ; and a tone of chi-
valrous and devotional enterprise was engendered by the
Crusades. The seats of learning then in existence, or
springing into life, exercised a powerful and beneficial
influence upon the mind of Christendom. Among these,
the UiuversUy of P :ris certainly appears to have attained
a leading stains. H is recorded that the most ancient
part of this IVtversiiy wasibe faculty of Arts or Philosophy.
" But," says Maiden, uthe event which gave a new life to
the U'livevsity of P iris, and from which in fact its existence
as a University must be dated, was, that from the beginning
of the twelfth century Paris became the resort of Jeanied
men, \v loaifccueri themselves iti some surt to the existing
school of Arts, IK-I leaving to infe-'iov teachers this prelimi-
nary learning, delivered public lectives in theology."
Aaioig the most celebrated of the theologians who flou-
rished in the rei^a of Louis VK., v»r s Peter Lombard,
whose book of sentences became a text-book in scholastic
theology. (</)
In the primitive stage of the study of theology, there does
not-seem to have been any very definite form of theological
instruction adopted, nor any prescribed course required for
obtaining the digniiy of a teacher. If the reputation for
eloquence, learning aiid industry, of a student nndar the
theologians who taught in the schools, was suffic'htK. to
attract an audience, he undertook to expound the scriptures.
Restrictions of a wholesome nature were speedily imposed
however ; the more learned and celebrated teachers asso-
q. Filesac. — Hallam's Middle A?es. chap. ix. part 2.
INTRODUCTION. 17
elated themselves, and established a rule that no one should
be allowed to teach without their approbation ,and permis-
sion, and this was only to be obtained after examination
and a public trial of their ability. The value of the title
thus obtained was much appreciated ; and the degree of
doctor, then instituted, became a prize of great moment.
The earliest example of the application of this honourable
appellative occurred in the person of Stephen Langton,
Archbishop of Canterbury, (r) of whom Innocent III.
declares, that "it was not to Le imputed as a fault to
Langton, but rather to be remembered to his honour, that
he had spent a long time at Paris in liberal studies, and
made so great proficiency, that he earned the dignity of
Doctor, not only in the liberal faculties, but also in the
theological siudles."(s)
Hitherto all the faculties were included in the four nations
of the School of Arts, and in an important bull of Gregory
IX., after regulating the admission of masters of theology
and the canon law, he ocdains that "with regard to the
students of medicine and the artistes^ the chancellor shall
promise to examine the masters ia good faith, and admitting
only the worthy, he shall keep out the unworthy." (t) But
in consequence of some disturbances created by the Domi-
nican Friars, who wished to usurp all the chairs of the
University, a division took place, by which the three
distinct faculties were formed, which were represented and
governed by their respective deans, (u)
r. Maiden.
s. liter on the authority of Shelman, who makes reference to Matth. Pari«
Hist. Ang.
t. Du Boullay and Conringius.
u. Maiden.
18 INTRODUCTION.
The study of civil law, which had been introduced in the
twelfth century, was forbidden by Pope Honorius III., but
the faculty of law was not extinguished, for the study of
pontificiai or canon law survived, and was encouraged by
ecclesiastical authority. Some attempts were made to
revive the study of the Roman law in 1568, under the
authority of the parliament of Paris, but the University
was not fairly relieved from the prohibition until the year
The University of Bologna was first celebrated for its
teaching of the Roman law, under the renowned Irnerius,
who also taught the liberal arts, and distinguished himself
by collating the scattered manuscripts of the civil law, and
restoring their integrity by correcting the corruptions of the
text. Shortly after this, the writings, called decretals, of the
Bishops of the early Church were invested with the same
authority as the canons of councils, and the Popes insisted
upon the supremacy of these documents. Collections of
these were soon made, and a compilation of them by
Gratian, a monk of St. Felix in Bologna, was received with
great favour, and was made the subject of public lectures in
the schools. Thus was laid the foundation of the study of
canon law in this University ; and the degree of Doctor was
taken either in the civil or canon law separately, or in both
conjointly. The fact already alluded to of the gift of philo-
sophical works to the University by Frederic Barbarossa,
aroused the study of philosophy, which was very shortly
followed by that of medicine. There had been also lec-
turers in Theology, among whom was Alexander III.,
v. Savigny.
INTRODUCTION. 19
previous to his elevation to the papal chair, and in 1362
Innocent VI. erected a faculty of theology on the model of
that of Paris, (w)
Robert Pulein, who had been educated at Paris, taught
theology at Oxford under the patronage of Henry Beauclerc,
and gave a new impetus to this study in England ; con-
tinuing his labours under the favour of Henry II., until he
was preferred to the Chancellorship of the Papal see. (or)
Vacarius, a Lombard by birth, established a school of law
at Oxford, which proceeding was opposed by the students
of philosophy and theology ; but being supported by two
decretals of Alexander III., he appears to have succeeded
in his object. He compiled an abridgment of the Roman
law for the use of his English scholars, manuscript copies
of which are still in existence. The Benedictines of St.
Maur bear testimony of the existence of an eminent school
of canon law in this University, about the end of the twelfth
century, (y) Anthony a Wood states that mention may be
found of masters in theology, in the public acts of Richard I.
It was also ordained by Clement V., that schools should be
formed for Hebrew, Arabic and Chaldee, and that all pre-
lates and ecclesiastical corporations in England, Wales,
Scotland and Ireland should be taxed for the maintenance
of the professors of these tongues. Matthew Paris ranked
Oxford as an ecclesiastical school next to Paris, and called
it the foundation of the Church, (z)
At Cambridge, the earliest Professorship which appears
w. Conringius.
x. Maiden from Itter,
y. Conringius.
2. Maiden.
20 INTRODUCTION.
upon record is the Professorship of Divinity, founded by the
Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII., A. D. 1502. (a)
But long prior to this, the theological character of this
University was fully established by the teaching of Gisle-
bert and his associates. Some idea may be formed of the
character of these studies, by the following stringent regu-
lations prescribed for those Masters of Arts who were pro-
ceeding to the Degree of Bachelor of Divinity, under the
statute of Elizabeth, cap. 8. " A Master of Arts shall be a
sedulous hearer of the theology, and a daily hearer of
the Hebrew lecture, to which subjects he shall apply him-
self seven years : in which time he shall dispute twice
against a Bachelor of Theology ; once after his fourth year
he shall respond in theology ; he shall preach in the Univer-
sity Church, once in Latin and once in English. * * *
And if in this time he shall have profited in theology, after
seven years complete, and not before, let him become a
Bachelor by solemn inauguration." The peculiar character
of the endowment for fellowships in both Oxford and
Cambridge, shewed that the general intention of the
founders was that they should be a provision for students
in theology.
It is unnecessary to multiply the illustrations of this
point. From the many noble examples of modern days in
Great Britain and America, we find that the great principle
of connecting religious instruction and secular education is
fully acknowledged and confirmed. It will be sufficient to
cite the cases of Durham ; Trinity College, Glenalmond ;
St. James's, Maryland ; Trinity College, Hartford, &c.
a. Conringius.
INTRODUCTION. 2 1
The failure of the first projected London University, pro-
bably better known as " Brougham's University," and the
subsequent erection of the present University of London,
with its incorporation of separate Colleges, each governed
by its own peculiar internal regulations, is the best evi-
dence we could desire, of the futility of depriving educa-
tion of this important and essential character; unless
indeed we look at home, where the experiment is being
conducted under all the advantages of competent endow-
ment and violent party legislation. And who will say that
success has attended this establishment ? But we should
anticipate our subject by discussing this question here.
We proceed with the remaining point of our argument,
by adducing the evidence we possess that these institutions
have always been under the discipline of Ecclesiastical
authority.
Thus in* the University of Paris, although the Faculty of
Arts claimed a superior antiquity, we find that it had a
special connexion with the Church of St. Genevieve, and
that the Chancellor of this church was always the Chan-
cellor of this Faculty ; the Bishop of Paris being Chancellor
of the other faculties, and being considered as the Chan-
cellor of the University at large, (b) And this authority
vested in the heads of ecclesiastical establishments, to which
according to ancient custom the schools were attached,
extended to the exercise of a discretionary power in granting
degrees, and in admitting masters to teach in the school of
arts, and ^as frequently the source of papal ordinance, both
6 Maiden.
22 INTRODUCTION.
for restraining and extending the prerogative. At Bologna,
the Bishop was the Chancellor of the University of Theolo-
gians ; and Honorius III., when he regulated the promotions
or collations of degrees in the school of law, made the
superintendence and assent of the Archdeacon of Bologna
necessary ; an authority which was retained by his suc-
cessors, who in time assumed the title of Chancellors, and
exercised a supervision over all the faculties except the
theologians.(c)
Our early Kings having taken the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge under their own peculiar authority, we do
not find, at all times, ecclesiastical functionaries appointed
to the chief office, ex officio, as in the case of the Con-
tinental institutions. Archbishop Laud was Chancellor
of Oxford in 1636, and under his jurisdiction it was, that the
statutes were compiled which still continue to rule the
University, and these were ratified by the Convocation, the
Chancellor and the King. But whenever necessity required
a delegation of authority by the Monarch, an ecclesiastic
was usually selected. Among other reasons why Oxford
and Cambridge differ in some degree, in this respect, from
the Continental and other Universities, is the fact that
neither place was a Bishop's see ; and that from immemo"
rial custom they elected their own Chancellors. But no
layman appears to have been elected to the office of
Chancellor until the Reformation. In Cambridge, however,
the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Ely was distinctly recog-
nized in ancient times. The internal constitution of these
Universities, also, would appear to abrogate the necessity of
f, Maiden,
INTRODUCTION. 23
one supreme ecclesiastical functionary. Composed of a
number of Colleges and Halls, each is governed by its
own peculiar official or head, who is necessarily, with few
exceptions in either University, an ecclesiastic, however
appointed, and who are themselves subject to the control or
supervision of a superior dignitary. The Archbishops were
in some instances visitors.
The Bishop of the see was always Chancellor of the
University of St. Andrews : and the Archbishop of Glasgow
filled the same office in the institution of that City ; by his
authority all its honours were conferred. In Edinburgh the
Principal always has been an ecclesiastic.
Thus have we endeavoured to show, that the principle
contended for, in the establishment of the Institution whose
origin and progress form the subject of the following pages,
is founded on the experience and wisdom of past ages.
That the only solid basis upon which the youth of a
country can be properly educated, is by a close alliance of
the religious and secular elements of instruction, is sustained
by the consenting voice of all, who regard man as a being
formed by his Creator for higher purposes than the mere
accomplishment of temporal duties, however important these
may be ; and that the testimony of denominational establish-
ments in this country is strongly in favour of such a system,
is evident from the circumstance of their obtaining Royal
Charters, and seeking endowment from those in communion
with them, and from other reliable extraneous sources.
That the Anglican Church should contend for similar pri-
vileges is only consonant with her position and influence,
24 INTRODUCTION.
as well as her principles ; that once enjoying, she should
have been deprived of them, and that after a noble and
voluntary effort to raise an endowment for a separate
College, she should be denied its usual privileges, is a
reproach to the age. Let us hope that time will soothe and
overcome the violence of the opposition of those who now
hold the reins of government, and that ere long Trinity
College shall be in possession of its Royal Charter.
TRINITY COLLEGE, TOEONTO,
BIOGRAPHY OF THE LORD BISHOP.
INTIMATELY associated with the educational movement in
this Province, from the earliest efforts made by the patriotic
Governor Simcoe, to the present moment, we find the name
of our Venerable Bishop. Indeed it may well be said of
him, that he has been the instrument in the hands of God
for the good of his people in Upper Canada ; for under his
direction and energetic example, combined with sound
judgment and great discriminating power, the men were
produced who, in every position of life, have carried on the
work of progression, and secured the prosperity of this
country from the elements by which they were surrounded.
This may happily be said, without fear of just contradiction
on the one hand, and without the charge of sycophancy on
the other. The favour of their Sovereign has rewarded
some of those of whom we speak, with offices of the highest
trust, and the voice of the nation bears witness to the ability
and faithfulness with which the duties appertaining to those
offices have always been discharged ; while the position
they hold, and the reputation they enjoy, place them beyond
the need of praise. Others there are who have done good
service to the state, and have passed to their rest; and
others remain, who may yet be required, and will still be
26 BORN AT ABERDEEN.
found able and willing, to promote its interests and uphold
its stability, with the counsel which knowledge and experi-
ence render so valuable.
As a necessary and important preface to our narrative, the
following biographical sketch of the Lord Bishop, offers
much to interest the general reader, and will possess, we
hope, a peculiar value for those who have reaped the benefit
of his former care and instruction, and who continue to
enjoy the advantage of his affectionate friendship and
spiritual direction.
The time has not yet arrived, and long may it be post-
poned, when it would be proper to enter into a full detail of
the important part which he has played in the government
and progressive prosperity of this Colony, or in the extension
and promotion of the welfare of the Church — such a task
would involve a compendious history of both. We shall
therefore content ourselves with tracing his labours in the
cause of education, in which, since his advent to the
province, he has been most actively and successfully
engaged.
John Strachan was born at Aberdeen, on the 12th of
April,*1778. He was educated at the Grammar School of
that city, which is justly celebrated for the many able
scholars and otherwise distinguished men which it haa
produced. In early life he displayed that indomitable
perseverance and application which have always formed
the prominent features of his character, and which have
enabled him to encounter and overcome obstacles that
would have daunted many less happily endowed by
nature.
COMMENCES TEACHING. 2t
In 1793 he was matriculated at King's College, Old
Aberdeen, in which he subsequently took the degree of
A.M. Shortly after this he removed to the neighbourhood
of St. Andrews, at which University he attended lectures
on Divinity, for although attached to the Episcopal Church)
he was compelled to avail himself of the existing public
schools and Colleges of the country, as the Nonjurors at
that time possessed no means of educating their youth.
At St. Andrews, he formed several important and lasting
friendships, among others, with Thomas Duncan LL.D.^
still Professor of Mathematics, and one of the profoundest
mathematicians in Europe : a friendship which continues
to this day with unabated affection. So also with the late
Dr. Chalmers, which only terminated with the life of that
great and universally esteemed philosopher and divine.
In 1797, Mr. Strachan left St. Andrews, and established
himself in the village of Kettle ; and here, at the early age
of nineteen, he made his first essay in the great field of
educational labour, commencing life with a deeply rooted
love for the cause, and with a foretaste of that success
which has since crowned his efforts. It was his prac-
tice to study well and note the character and capacity of
his pupils, and to his discrimination and correct judgment,
many owe the ultimate renown they have achieved. Among
his pupils at that time was David Wilkie, since so well
known as one of the first painters of the age. Mr. Strachan
quickly perceived Wilkie's unquestionable genius, and with
some difficulty prevailed on his uncle to send him to the
celebrated Raeburn, then enjoying the highest reputation in
Scotland. It is pleasing to remark, that after an interval of
D
23 NEGOCIATION WITH DR. DROWN.
forty-two years, the preceptor and scholar met in London,
and renewed an intimacy so profitable to one and so
honourable to both. They attended the meetings of the
British Association at Birmingham, and saw much of each
other during the Bishop's short stay in England. Often did
Mr. Wilkie, then at the height of his fame, declare that he
owed everything to his reverend teacher, since but for his
interference, he might have remained in obscurity.
Commodore Barclay, afterwards so unfortunate on Lake
Erie, was another pupil. He was a youth of great promise,
and his Lordship has often said, that he possessed qualities
which fitted him to be another Nelson, had the way opened
up for such a consummation.
While at St. Andrews, the Rev. James Brown, one of the
acting Professors of the University, a gentleman of great
scientific attainments, and of conversational powers seldom
equalled, evinced great regard for Mr. Strachan, and after
his advancement to the chair of Natural Philosophy in the
University of Glasgow, proposed to his young friend, in
whose capacity and acquirements he must have had great
confidence, to become his assistant, and in his absence,
which from infirm health was not unfrequent, to discharge
his duties in the lecture room. Difficulties, it is said,
originating in high quarters, intervened to prevent this
arrangement when nearly completed. Dr. Brown was
induced to retire on a pension. The disappointment
attending this result must have been very great to one of
such an ardent temperament, to whom a career of hon-
ourable usefulness had been opened, and whose ambition
must have been naturally and keenly aroused. Then it
SAILS FROM GREENOCK. 29
was that the opportunity occurred of removing to another
scene of activity, and in such a frame of mind he was the
more disposed to accept of employment in Canada.
Among the many schemes contemplated by General
Simcoe for the benefit of the Province, was that of
establishing Grammar Schools in every district, and a
University as their head at the seat of Government.
Anxious to put matters in train, the Governor gave autho-
rity to the late Honourable Richard Cartwright and the
Honourable Robert Hamilton, to procure a gentleman from
Scotland, to organize and take charge of the College or
University which he proposed to establish. These gentle-
men, whose memories are still dear to the Province, ap-
plied to their friends in Scotland, who offered the appoint-
ment to Dr. Chalmers, by whom it was declined.
Overtures were then made to Mr. Strachan, who touched
by his recent disappointment, was induced after some
consideration to accept the proposal.
He sailed from Greenock towards the end of August,
1799, under convoy. At the present day, we know nothing
of the discomforts of this mode of voyaging; but some idea
may be formed of the tediousness of this journey, from the
fact that he did not arrive at New York until the middle of
November. Such was the state of navigation of the Hudson
at the commencement of the present century, that it occu-
pied eight days to reach Albany, At this city he first
encountered the rigor of the winter of the climate to which
he had migrated. There was a very heavy fall of snow, and
as he had to travel round by Montreal in order to penetrate
to Upper Canada, he did not arrive at Kingston till the last
30 ENGAGEMENT WITH MR. CARTWRIGHT.
day of the year, much fatigued in body, and not a little
disappointed, it may be readily supposed, at the desolate
appearance of the country. But a new and more severe trial
awaited him. He was informed that Governor Simcoe had
returned to England, and that the intention of establishing
the projected College had been for the present abandoned.
Indeed the prospect of being able to carry out such an
undertaking seemed very remote, as the country was justly
considered to be too new, and the population too thin.
Leaving his native country, full of the hope of honourable
and abundant employment ; arriving in a strange place and
inclement climate at the worst period of the year; finding the
reasonable expectations he had formed completely blighted,
and thrown completely on his own resources, we can con-
ceive that the lonely position in which Mr. Strachan now
found himself placed, was sufficient to try the fortitude of any
ordinary mind. His firm and active spirit, however, enabled
him to combat these difficulties, and subdue this disap-
pointment ; accordingly we find him making an arrange-
ment with the Honourable Richard Cartwright to instruct
his sons and a select number of pupils during three years,
and if at the expiration of that period the country did not
present a reasonable prospect of advancement, he might
return to Scotland. A strong attachment speedily sprung
up between the parties. Mr. Cartwright was a man of
great capacity and intelligence, of strict honour and integ-
rity ; moreover he was a sincere Churchman from convic-
tion, having read much on this as well as most other
subjects of importance. A similarity of feeling and pursuit
tended to confirm and strengthen their mutual regard, and
this ripened into a warm friendship, which continued
without the slightest change or abatement, till death sepa-
IS ORDAINED DEACON. 31
rated them. Mr. Strachan was left the guardian of Mr.
Cartwright's children ; no greater proof of confidence could
have been displayed by any one.
At Kingston, other friendships were formed among men
of merit and ability, more especially with the Rev. Dr.
Stuart, the clergyman of the parish and Commissary or
Archdeacon of Upper Canada, whose sound judgment,
sagacity, and other high mental qualities were rendered the
more useful and attractive, by his courteous and kind
demeanour, and a playful wit and humour that seemed
inexhaustible. From this gentleman Mr. Strachan received
the most affectionate and parental regard, from the day of
their first interview ; and this familiar and beneficial inter-
course continued ever after without interruption.
At the termination of his engagement with Mr. Cart-
wright, Mr. Strachan was prepared under Dr. Stuart's
advice and instruction to enter the Church. Accordingly,
in May, 1803, he was ordained Deacon, by the Right Rev.
Dr. Mountain, the first Bishop of Quebec, and appointed to
the mission of Cornwall.
On taking possession of his mission, he found the con-
gregation very small, and chiefly confined to the village or
immediate neighbourhood. Hence his clerical duties were
not burthen some, and left him much leisure time. He was
therefore induced to listen to the solicitations of the parents
of such of his pupils as had not finished their studies at
Kingston, to continue to instruct them at Cornwall, and
also to the urgent intreaties of many from both provinces to
admit their sons to the same privilege, because there was
32 SCHOOL AT CORNWALL.
at that time no seminary in the country where the Pro-
testant youth could obtain a liberal education.
Such was the origin of the Cornwall School, which has
deservedly acquired a wide-spread and high reputation in
Canada. During the nine years which it was under the
guidance of Mr. Strachan, it continued in the most flou-
rishing condition ; and as the average attendance was
commonly between fifty and sixty, a large portion of the
youth of both Provinces were benefited, and obtained such
an education as enabled many of them to distinguish them-
selves in the several walks of life which they afterwards
adopted. Among his pupils at this time were the present
Chief Justices Robinson and Macaulay, the late Mr. Justice
Jones, and several others, who have equally well sustained
the credit of the School. Indeed the good fruits of the semi-
nary have not only been universally admitted, but allowed
to have been a blessing to the Province for the last forty
years, and we fervently pray that they may continue to be
so for many years to come.
In reference to this point, we quote with pleasure the
following observations of one very familiar with these
occurrences, and himself a recipient of his Lordship's care
and tuition : — " In laying the foundation of the system of
Common Schools, your Lordship, it is well known, took a
prominent part; and at a still earlier period, as I well
remember, it was at the suggestion, and upon the earnest
instance of your Lordship, that the Statute was pro-
cured, to which we are indebted for the District Grammar
Schools throughout Upper Canada ; in which Schools
alone, for more than twenty years, the means of obtaining
APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL. . 33
a liberal education were to be found, and which, throughout
that period, and to this moment, have conferred upon the
country advantages beyond our power to estimate, (d)
In 1807 the University of St. Andrews conferred upon
Mr. Strachan the degree of LL.D., as a mark of its appre-
ciation of the merits of its former Alumnus. In the same
year the degree of D.D. was also given to him by his Alma
Mater Aberdeen.
In 1812, Dr. Strachan was appointed Rector of Toronto,
then called York, the metropolis of the Province. He
travelled with his family in a small schooner; while on
the passage between Brockville and Kingston, war was
declared against Great Britain by the United States, and
they narrowly escaped the danger of capture before reaching
the place of his destination, the future scene of his labours.
During the war, his various and active exertions to
ameliorate its evils among the people were justly appre-
ciated. He joined the late Chief Justice Powell and many
others in establishing and carrying on a most charitable
association, called the Loyal and Patriotic Society, which
contributed greatly to the defence of the Province and con-
tentment of the inhabitants, under the sacrifices and
privations incident to a war of invasion. Soon after the
cessation of hostilities, he was made by Royal Warrant an
Executive Councillor; and in 1818 was advanced to a
seat in the Legislative Council. In both these positions the
wisdom of the course pursued by him, his unswerving
d. Address of the Honourable Chief Justice Robinson at the opening of King's
College.
34 CREATED BISHOP.
loyalty and constitutional policy were the admiration of
many, and have been attended with the happiest results for
the welfare of the Colony. But of his political career it is
not our province to speak ; the records of the Legislature
bear testimony to the fidelity with which he discharged his
duties.
In 1825 he was made Archdeacon of York, the duties of
which position were at that time very responsible, in con-
sequence of there being no Bishop in Western Canada.
In 1836, he resigned his seat in the Executive Council, and
in 1840, when the British Ministry adopted the measure of
uniting the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, —
a measure which he wisely always resolutely opposed, —
he also vacated his place at the Legislative Council Board.
In 1839 he was created Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto,
which includes the whole of Western Canada, and at his
advanced age continues to discharge his pastoral duties
with an energy and activity seldom equalled.
The chief purpose of his early mission to this country
would seem always to have been an object of consummation
with him. The part which he played in the establishment
of King's College, the battle he fought for the continuance
of its principles and the preservation of its rights, form the
subject of the succeeding pages.
THE FOUNDATION OF KING'S COLLEGE.
When the independence of the United States of America
was recognised by Great Britain, at the peace of 1783,
Upper Canada became the asylum of those faithful subjects
of the Crown, who had, during the Revolutionary war,
adhered to their King and the Unity of the Empire.
Anxious to prove her grateful sense of their affectionate
services in a way the most agreeable to their wishes and
feelings, the mother country conferred upon them, by the 31
Geo. III. chap. 31, a form of Government similar to her
own ; and in order that the State might be sanctified by
religion, provision was made by the express command of
the King for its support, by setting apart for that object a
a portion of the waste lands of the Crown.
It was justly believed, that in a new Colony like Upper
Canada, lands are and ought to be the fund for the founda-
tion and permanent support of all great public institutions,
such as the Church, Universities, Schools, Hospitals, &c.,
because it can be done in this way, without being burthen-
some to the people.
But although provision was made by the Constitutional
Act, for the religious instruction of the settlers, no appro-
priation was then thought of for schools and Seminaries of
learning. It is nevertheless pleasing to remark, that before
the division of Canada into two provinces, even so early as
1789, little more than five years after the Loyalists had
86 GENERAL SIMCOE'S VIEWS.
begun their settlements in Canada, they addressed Lord
Dorchester on the subject of education, setting forth the
lamentable state of their children, who were growing up
without any religious or secular instruction. His Lordship
gave immediate attention to this application, and directed
that eligible portions of land should be reserved for the
support of Schools in all the new settlements.
General Simcoe, the first Governor of Upper Canada, on
his arrival in 1792, applied himself vigorously to promote
the religious and secular instruction of the people. He not
only took measures to render the Church property pro-
ductive, but urged the Imperial Government to establish a
University, to grow with the country, as one of the most
effectual instruments of promoting the national religion,
and attachment to the parent state.
In writing to Mr. Dtmdas, Secretary of State for the
Colonies, in Nov. 1792, His Excellency declares, " That
the best security of a just Government must consist in the
morality of the people, and that such morality has no true
basis but religion. In his letter to the Bishop of Quebec,
30th April, 1795, he says, "The people of this Province
enjoy the forms as well as the privileges of the British
Constitution. They have the means of governing them-
selves, provided they shall become sufficiently capable and
enlightened to understand their relative situation, and
manage their own power to the public interest. To this
end a liberal education seems indispensably necessary, and
the completion of such education requires the establishment
of a University, to inculcate sound religious principles, pure
morals, and refined manners." General Simcoe, as was
PRESIDENT RUSSELL'S INSTRUCTIONS. 37
very natural, desired that the Clergy qualified to fill the
chairs in the University, should, if possible, be Englishmen,
because none such were yet to be found in the Colony ;
and this to continue till we could bring them up among
ourselves. A few pious and learned men, of rational zeal
and primitive manners, would secure the interest and union
of Church and State, and constitute a University which
might, in due time, acquire such a character as to become
the place of education to many persons beyond the extent of
the King's dominions.
Unhappily for the Province, General Sirncoe was recalled
to fill a higher station, before his wise and extensive plans
for the prosperous advance of the Province could be carried
out ; but his exertions in favour of Education were not
altogether lost, for the Legislature, in the spring of 1797,
soon after his departure, addressed the King, to appropriate
a portion of the waste lands of the Crown, for the support of
Grammar Schools, and a college or a University.
To this address a most gracious answer was received
from his Majesty, King George III., through the Duke of
Portland, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, in which
His Majesty expresses his readiness to show his parental
regard for the welfare of his subjects in the furtherance of
an object so important as the instruction of youth in sound
learning and the principles of the Christian religion. (e)
For this purpose, Mr. President Russell, then Adminis-
trator of the Government of Upper Canada, was directed to
consult the Members of the Executive Council, and the
e. Appendix A., No. 1, p. 1.
38 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL AND LAW OFFICERS.
Judges and Law Officers of the Crown, to report in what
manner and lo what extent a portion of the Crown Lands
might be appropriated and rendered productive towards the
formation of a fund for the establishment of Free Schools in
those Districts in which they were called for, and in due
time for establishing Seminaries of a larger and more com-
prehensive nature for instructing the youth in religious and
moral learning and the study of the arts and sciences, (f)
The report advises the establishment of two Grammar
Schools, as sufficient at the time for the wants of the
Province, and to defer that of the University as not yet
necessary. It recommends the appropriation of five hundred
thousand acres of the waste lands of the Crown, one-half for
the Grammar Schools, and the other half for the endowment
of the University when it should be required, (g) But, as
lands in 1798 were only of nominal value, and without
ready sale, even at 9d. currency per acre, or Sd. sterling, it
was found unadvisable to take any further measures at
that time, because the whole appropriation would not have
produced a sum sufficient for the reasonable endowment
and building of the two Grammar Schools.
Although necessarily delayed, the prospect of establishing
a University was frequently mentioned, and never lost
sight of. In 1805, at the suggestion of the Rev. Dr.
Strachan, philosophical apparatus was purchased by order
of the Legislature, for the purpose of teaching the youth of
the Province the elements of the higher Mathematics and
Mechanical Philosophy, and in 1807 a Grammar School was
/. Appendix A., No. 2, p. 2.
g. Appendix A., No. 3. p. 3.
SIR PEREGRINE MAITLAND'S DESPATCH. 39
established in each and every District as nurseries for the
contemplated University. No further steps seem to have
been taken for many years to carry out these suggestions,
but in 1820, when a law was passed to increase the repre-
sentation of the House of Assembly, it was, among other
things, provided, " That whenever the University shall be
organized, and in operation as a Seminary of learning in
this Province, and in conformity to the rules and regulations
of similar institutions in Great Britain, it shall be repre-
sented in the Provincial Parliament by one Member."
In December, 1825, His Excellency Sir Peregrine Mait-
land addressed Lord Bathurst on the subject of the
University, and of the incalculable importance of its imme-
diate establishment, — " Education," continues His Excel-
lency, " must have an ascendency to a certain extent in
every country, and to provide for that education being
received under circumstances that must produce a common
attachment to our Constitution, and a common feeling of
respect and affection for our ecclesiastical establishment is
an object so evidently desirable, that I need not press it
upon your Lordship's attention.
" Your Lordship is aware, that about four hundred and
fifty thousand acres of land have been set apart for a
provision for this object ; but some of these lands, though
they possess the advantage of being in large blocks, lie in
tracts at present remote from settlements, and a considerable
portion of them is not of the first quality.
" It has occurred to me that if your Lordship saw fit
to allow that an equal quantity of the best of these lands
40 LORD BATHURST'S DESPATCH.
were exchanged for that portion of the Crown Reserves
which remains to the Government as being under lease, the
latter could almost immediately be disposed of at an ave-
rage price of not less than ten shillings per acre, and a sum
thus be produced that would admit of the immediate
establishment of an University on a scale that would
render it effective,"
The proposed exchange was permitted, and on the 15th
of March, 1827, a few months after, a Royal Charter was
obtained through the influence of Sir Peregrine Maitland,
who, during the whole of his administration, was the
strenuous promoter of education and pure religion. In
reference to these and other particulars regarding the Uni-
versity of King's College, the following, extracted from
Lord Balhurst's Despatch of the 31st of March, 1827, to Sir
Peregrine Maitland, is too important to be omitted :
" Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that his Majesty
has been pleased to grant a Royal Charter by Letters
Patent, under the Great Seal, for establishing at or near the
Town of York, in the Province of Upper Canada, one
College, with the style and privileges of a University, for
the education and instruction of youth in Arts and Faculties,
to continue for ever, to be called King's College, (h)
" I am further to acquaint you that His Majesty has been
pleased to grant one thousand pounds per annum as a fund
for erecting the buildings necessary for the College, to be
paid out of the moneys furnished by the Canada Company,
and to continue during the term of that agreement,
h. Appendix B., p. 9.
CHARTER OF KING'S COLLEGE. 41
" I have to authorise you, on the receipt of this Despatch,
to exchange such Crown Reserves as have not been made
over to the Canada Company, for an equal portion of the
lands set apart for the purpose of education and foundation
of a University, as suggested in your Despatch of 19th
December, 1825, and more fully detailed in Dr. Strachan's
Report of the 10th March, 1826, and you will proceed to
endow King's College with the said Crown Reserves with
as little delay as possible," &c. &c.
(Signed) BATHURST.
The Charter thus obtained was the most open that had
ever been granted, or could have been granted at the time
by the British Government, and the endowment conferred
upon the University which it created was truly munificent,
and amply sufficient to carry out the objects which George
the Third had in view when he directed the appropriation
of land to be made, viz. : — The instruction of the youth of
the Province in sound learning and religion. Nor were
these objects forgotten by King George the Fourth, for they
are embodied in the preamble of the Charter which he
granted — "» v
« Whereas the establishment of a College within our Province
of Upper Canada, in North America, for the education of youth
in the principles of the Christian religion, and for their instruc-
tion in the various branches of science and literature which are
taught in our Universities of this Kingdom, would greatly
conduce to the welfare of the Province/' &c.
On receiving the Charter, Sir Peregrine Maitland lost no
time in forming the College Council, and securing the
endowment by Patent ; and, had he not been promoted to a
42 QUEEN'S COLLEGE CHARTER GRANTED.
higher Government, King's College would have very soon
began the business of instruction.
In the meantime the enemies of the Church, deeming the
conditions of the Charter too favourable to her Spiritual
interests, made a clamour that attracted, in 1828, the atten-
tion of a Committee of the House of Commons, then sitting
on the Civil Government of Canada ; and the members of
the Church of England in Upper Canada, having been
incorrectly stated as very few in number, the Committee in
their report recommended the establishment of two Theo-
logical Professors — one of the Church of England, and
another of the Church of Scotland ; but that, with respect
to the President, Professors, and all others connected with
the College, no religious test whatever should be required,
but that the Professors (with the exception of the Theo-
logical Professors,) should sign a declaration that, as far as
it was necessary for them to advert in their lectures to
religious subjects, they would distinctly recognize the
truth of the Christian Revelation, and abstain altogether
from inculcating particular doctrines. Nothing came of
this recommendation ; for the Charter, with the exception
of the College Council, was more open than the Committee
suggested, and steps to appoint a Theological Professor of
the Church of the Scotland were afterwards rendered
unnecessary, as that Church obtained a Royal Charter
establishing a College, with University powers, exclusively
their own, and which is now in operation. (/) But although
no action was had on the recommendation of the Com-
mittee, it did infinite mischief, as it appeared to imply that
t. Appendix E., p. 21.
A PROPHECY. 43
a Royal Charter might be altered and remodelled; and
ever after it became a constant object of annual clamour
and attack.
With reference to the ultimate fate of this Institution,
and the peculiar circumstances attending it, we cannot
avoid quoting the following almost prophetic language,
uttered at a time when all was apparently bright and
prosperous in its future : —
" And yet speaking only for myself, there is, I confess, in my
mind, a drawback in contemplating the future, arising from a
cause •which I can only pray may not prove injurious to the pros-
perity of this University.
" I cannot forget that in all portions of the United Kingdom,
to use the words of a celebrated writer, t it has been chiefly if not
altogether upon religious considerations, that Princes as well as
private persons have erected Colleges, and assigned liberal
endowments to students and professors.' Yes, truly it is to
religion we owe those noble institutions : and I own that I do
look with misgiving and pain upon the apparently ungrateful
return of attempting, in modern times, to found Colleges and
Schools, from which the influence of religion would seem to be
almost in effect excluded, in a spirit of jealous distrust.
" To have excluded from instruction in literature and the
sciences, all who belong not to a particular Church, might justly
have been considered as illiberal and unwise ; and to have
allowed those only to impart instruction in these departments,
who professed their adherence to a particular creed, might have
seemed a course as little suitable to this time and country.
" The charter, as it originally stood, did neither : but it did
contain some provisions, plainly intended to ensure consistency
in the government, and harmony in the working of the institu-
tion, and intended moreover to proclaim openly to all, what was
the form of worship, and what the doctrine, which alone they
might expect to be maintained and inculcated in King's College.
I have always thought that some such security against confusion
and error, and against a danger greater and more probable — the
danger of establishing an indifference to all religious truth — was
required upon the plainest principles of reasoning ; and that
without such security, the day might come when we should have
to look in vain for the continued support of the virtuous and
enlightened, whose influence, happily for mankind, prevails in
general, sooner or later, against whatever rests for its support, not
44 THE OPPOSITION TO THE UNIVERSITY.
on reason, but on the voice of numbers. Such men, whatever
may be their creed, may not be found to look with perfect con-
fidence upon any seat of learning, whose religious character is
not fixed and acknowledged.
« But the Church, mentioned in the Royal Charter, was that
Church which the Sovereign swears at his coronation to support
in all parts of his dominion, except in Scotland ; and the spirit,
which denied to the Sovereign the right to endow from resources,
which the constitution had vested in the crown, an University in
Communion with the great Protestant Church of the Empire,
might, as it seemed to me, have been justly discountenanced as
an "unreasonable spirit. And a little attention to the history of
times and countries not remote from us, will, I believe, shew, that in
general it has proved itself a spirit, not of meekness, but of ambi-
tion;— one tJtat will be perpetually inclined to strive for the
mastery, where there is any ground for Jiope ; until at last (as there
are not wanting examples to sheiv) — in the changes of time, ivhcre
nothing has been fixed by law, there becomes fixed and settled,
through perseverance and management, and probably after years
of strife, a state of things which, if it liad been proposed in the first
instance, or coidd have been anticipated as the probable result,
would Jiavc been desired by no one, but condemned by all.
" A fear of some such misfortune is my only fear ; but I trust that
the wisdom of the Government and the Legislature may guard
against the danger. It becomes us at least to entertain the hope :
and may God in his goodness avert this and all other evils from
the University of King's College."(y )
After Sir Peregrine Maitland's departure, the University
met with much unworthy treatment, and no protection from
the head of the Colonial Government ; and thus eight years
were lost in ceaseless opposition to an institution which
would have conferred upon the youth of the Province that
liberal education they desired, and the loss of which can
never be retrieved.
Unfortunately, this continued opposition to the University
had at length an influence upon the Imperial Government,
for in January, 1832, a Despatch from Lord Goderich, was
j. Chief Justice Robinson's address at the opening of King's College.
REPORT OF THE COLLEGE COUNCIL. 45
laid before the College Council, proposing to the members
of the Corporation to surrender their Royal Charter, together
with the endowment, on the assurance from the Secretary of
State that no part of the endowment should ever be diverted
from the education of youth, (k)
In an able Report, the College Council stated their reasons
for refusing compliance with this extraordinary request,
and that they did not think it right to concur in surren-
dering the Charter of King's College, or its endowment.
The College Council further observed,
" That they did not feel or profess to feel a sufficient assurance,
that, after they had assented to destroy a College founded by
their Sovereign, under as unrestricted and open, a Charter as had
ever passed the Great Seal of England for a similar purpose, the
different branches of the Legislature would be able to concur in
establishing another that would equally secure to the inhabitants
of this Colony, through successive generations, the possession of
a seat of learning in which religious knowledge should be dis-
pensed, and in which care should be taken to guard against those
occasions of instability, dissension and confusion, the foresight of
which had led, in our Parent State, to the making an uniformity
of religion, in each University throughout the Empire, an indis-
pensable feature in its constitution.
" If the objections entertained by the Council against the sur-
render of the Charter were not insurmountable, 110 stronger
inducement could be offered than the request which his Lord-
ship's despatch conveys. For the Council •cannot fail to be
sensible that such a request can have been dictated only by a
supposed necessity for departing from established principles, hi
order to promote the peace and contentment of the colony. With
the opinions, however, which the Council entertain, and with the
opportunity of forming these opinions which their residence in the
colony affords them, they could never stand excused to them-
selves or others if they should surrender the Charter, supposing
it to be within their power, so long as there is an utter uncertainty
as to the measures that would follow. The moral and religious
state of more than two hundred thousand British subjects is at
present involved in the proper disposal of these questions, and
before many years will have elapsed more than a million will be
k. Appendix H., p. 32.
46 DIOCESAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE FOUNDED.
affected by them. The Council, therefore, whatever results may
be obtained by other means, could not justify to themselves the
assuming the responsibility of endangering the very existence of
the Institution. They feel bound to look beyond the movements
and discussions of the passing moment, and could not, even if
they concurred in the view of the present expediency, consent to
pull down the only foundation which at present exists in Upper
Canada for the advancement of youth in religion and learning,
upon a system which has not yet been repudiated in any part of
His Majesty's dominions."
It would be tedious and without profit to enter more
minutely into the persevering opposition to the establish-
ment of the University during the following five years. It
is, however, melancholy to contemplate the Legislature
lending itself to destroy an institution calculated to cherish
affection to the Government and the purest principles of
religion.
The dissatisfaction and distrust occasioned by these
repeated attempts to interfere with the establishment of an
institution which would enjoy the full confidence of the
Church, as a place of preparation for the ministry, led to the
foundation of the Diocesan Theological College at Cobourg,
which was started under the following circumstances : —
In the month of October, 1841, a meeting of the following
Chaplains of the Lord Bishop, viz. — Rev. A. N. Bethune,
Rev. H. J. Grasett, and Rev. H. Scadding, was held at
Toronto, to draw up and report to his Lordship some plan
by which the Students of Divinity in this Diocese might be
brought under a systematic course of instruction in Theo-
logy, preparatory to their being admitted to Holy Orders,
and pending the establishment of a regular Collegiate
Institution. This report having been submitted, the fol-
lowing announcement was made by the authority of the
SYSTEM PURSUED AT COBOURG. 47
Lord Bishop, in " The Church " newspaper, of Nov. 27,
1841 :—
" The Lord Bishop of Toronto has been pleased to appoint the Rev. A. N.
Bethune, Rector of Cobourg, and one of his Lordship's Chaplains, to be
Professor of Theology in this Diocese. Candidates for Holy Orders will in
future be expected to place themselves under the instructions of the Professor,
for the purpose of passing through a prescribed course of Theological study ; but
they must previously pass an examination before one of the Bishop's Chaplains,
to ascertain their competency to enter with advantage on the appointed line of
reading. At the end of the course, such students as are approved by the
Professor, and can produce the necessary testimonials, will be permitted to
present themselves as candidates for ordination."
On the llth December following, in consequence of the
appointment thus announced, the following notice was
given in " The Church " newspaper ; —
" The Rev. A. N. Bethune, having been appointed Professor of Theology by
the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, begs to announce that he will be prepared to
commence a course of Lectures in Divinity at Cobourg, on Monday the 10th
January next. Candidates for Holy Orders, desiring to avail themselves of this
instruction, would find it advantageous to commence with the regular course at
that period, as it is designed that it should be regularly and systematically
pursued."
During the first term of the Institution, ending at Easter
following, seven students were present ; and almost imme-
diately after four more were added. After the long vacation,
there was a further increase, and the number in October
following stood at seventeen. During the whole period of
the continuance of the Institution, the average attendance of
pupils was about fifteen.
At the commencement, lectures were given only three
times a week ; but subsequently, they were given daily,
Mondays only excepted. They embraced the Greek
Testament, both Gospels and Epistles; The Thirty-nine
Articles ;• The evidences of Divine Revelation and of Chris-
tianity in particular, comprehending such as arise from
undesigned coincidences ; The Old Testament History
48 SYSTEM PURSUED AT COBOURG.
critically reviewed ; The Liturgy, including Dissertations
on Forms of Prayer, and on the Ancient Liturgies ; Church
Government, comprehending the Scriptural as well as
Patristic Testimonies; Ecclesiastical History, and Selec-
tions from several of the Greek and Latin Fathers. Besides
this, Sermons were required to be written by each student
at stated periods, which were read by the students them-
selves, and commented upon by the Professor, before the
whole body.
The subjects thus marked out would require, it was
estimated, the attendance of Theological Students for three
full years ; which was the period of residence, with few
exceptions, exacted from all who entered.
The students were required to attend the daily morning
chapel, which at first took place immediately preceding the
business of the day : subsequently it was changed to half-
past eight, and ultimately to seven, a. m., in summer, and
half-past seven in winter. A distinctive dress, of cap and
gown, was worn by the students, under the same regulations
as at other Collegiate Institutions.
Classes in the Sunday Schools were uniformly alloted to
the students, as a becoming and useful exercise for candi-
dates for Holy Orders : occasionally they were entrusted
with a systematic distribution of tracts amongst the
parishioners ; and to several, — making the selection ac-
cording to age and more particular qualification for the
duty, — the performance of Divine service was assigned in
various places which could not be regularly included in the
ministrations of the officiating clergyman.
SIR FRANCIS HEAD'S POLICY. 49
The students were permitted to live in lodgings, approved
of by the Professor ; and in some few instances, they pro-
vided apartments and the expense of maintenance for them-
selves. There was nothing in the shape of endowment
annexed to the Institution ; all the stipend allotted to it
being £100 sterling per annum, granted to the Principal by
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts, and the fees chargeable to the students, these being
about equal to the sum annually paid by the pupils at
respectable Grammar Schools. It having been deemed
necessary to make a provision for maintaining and im-
proving the classical knowledge of the students, that
department of instruction was ordinarily assigned to the
Assistant Minister of the Parish ; and a fee of £5 currency
from each pupil under his instruction was his whole
remuneration. The Venerable Society also instituted several
Scholarships.
The whole number of gentlemen, who were properly
members of the Institution, admitted to Holy Orders from
its opening in 1842 to its close in 1851, are forty-five. (/)
Sir Francis B. Head, on his accession to the Government,
guided by that ardent spirit and intuitive perception of
whatever is good and noble which characterises him, saw
at once the vast advantage of establishing the University ;
and although he could not with prudence prevent the Legis-
lature from making some changes in the Charter, (ra) to
which the College Council most reluctantly assented as a
final settlement, he deserves great praise for discounte-
nancing further innovation.
/. For a list of the gentlemen who were prepared at this Institution, see
Appendix L. in. Appendix C. p. 16.
50 CORNER STONE LAID BY SIR CHARLES BAGOT.
The Charter having been thus settled by 7 William IV.
chap. 16, which adopted all the alterations of its more
reasonable opponents, Sir F. B. Head readily concurred
with the College Council in devising the measures necessary
for bringing it into active operation : but, just as the preli-
minary steps were arranged, — contracts for the buildings
ready to be signed, and Professors and Teachers about to
be appointed, — the disturbances of 1837 broke out, and, for
a time, suspended this and many other excellent measures
projected by that able and independent ruler.
After the suppression of the rebellion, Sir Francis B.
Head resigned the Government, and, during the two
following short administrations, no proceedings were had
respecting the University worthy of notice or commenda-
tion.
When Sir Charles Bagot assumed the Government, King's
College engaged his special attention. Being himself a
scholar and University man, he saw the vast importance of
such a seminary in a rising country, and he set his heart
upon its immediate establishment.
In accordance with his ardent desire on this subject, the
first distinguished act of his administration was to come to
Toronto, and lay the foundation-stone of the contemplated
building, on the 23rd of April, 1842. (n)
This was done in the most solemn manner, with prayer
and praise, for it has been the practice of Christians in all
n. An account of this interesting ceremony was published at the time. From
oneofth«addrewe«d«>lirered on that occasion we have quoted some striking
PROGRESS OF KING'S COLLEGE. 51
ages, when undertaking any work of importance, to seek
for Divine light and assistance.
Although Sir Charles Bagot was not spared to witness
the opening of King's College, which did not take place till
the 8th of June, 1843, yet during his lamented illness, he
never ceased to take the warmest interest in its welfare,
and his memory in connection with that Institution will
ever be kindly remembered.
From the day of its opening to that of its suppression,
King's College, notwithstanding the political bearing which
the injudicious alterations in its Charter had greatly in-
creased, proceeded vigorously in its academical career, and
was obtaining, through its scholars, who belonged to all
denominations, an influence which was rapidly increasing
throughout the Province. Parents felt a confidence in its
religious character, and as none but students belonging to
the Church of England, were expected to attend the chapel
morning and evening, sober-minded dissenters were not
offended. On the contrary, the knowledge that prayer was
offered up twice every day, pleased them, because it gave
a solemn tone to the labours of the day and sanctified the
Institution.
The students rapidly increased, and the strict impartiality
of treatment was universally acknowledged. But instead
of conciliating its enemies, these proofs of prosperity and
fair dealing increased their animosity. They became
alarmed lest King's College, if left unmolested for a few
years, would gain a popularity among all the truly religious
in the province, and place itself in a position of safety
52 THE BISHOP'S LETTER TO SIR C. METCALFE.
which they could not disturb. Hence they allowed it no
peace. Session after session it was assailed, and, after
defeating three successive measures for its destruction, its
friends became weary, and the fourth attempt has, unfortu-
nately, proved successful.
King's College was opened for instruction in June, 1843,
and in the following November Mr. Attorney-General
Baldwin introduced a Bill, by the provisions of which it
would have been destroyed, and an University established
in its room, altogether political in its bearing, cumbersome
and unwieldy in its enactments, and from which religion
was totally excluded.
The general character and substance of this Charter are
well pourtrayed in the following letter of the Lord Bishop
of Toronto to His Excellency the Right Hon. Sir Charles
Metcalfe, G.C.B., then Governor General.
Toronto, 2nd November, 1843.
Sir,—Permit me to draw your Excellency's attention to the
Memorial enclosed, which I find it to be my duty to present to
the different branches of the Provincial Parliament, respecting the
Bill now before the Legislative House of Assembly, on the sub-
ject of the University of King's College.
I dare not conceal from your Excellency the great alarm which
T, and every right-minded person in the Colony, feel, in finding
that such a measure has been introduced by an officer so high in
the Government as Her Majesty's Attorney-General, and not, it
is natural to presume, without the knowledge of your Excel-
lency.
When I first heard a rumour that the Provincial Legislature
was likely to interfere with the University of King's College, I
gave it no credit ; for although a few individuals had endea-
voured to raise a cry against that institution, their selfish views
and want of principle were so glaring, that the press and public
opinion were evidently against them : nor did I believe it possible
for any Government to lend itself to a movement whose object*
were so unjust.
THE BISHOP'S LETTER TO SIR C. METCALFE. 53
Had their unrighteous appeal been in any degree responded'to,
I would have naturally relied upon your Excellency as our shield
of protection to prevent any step from being taken against the
University of King's College, in the welfare of which so great a
portion of Her Majesty's subjects are concerned, till after refer-
ence had to the authorities of the Institution, and full enquiry
and deliberation on the part of your Excellency.
It was therefore with sorrow and mortification that I learned,
during my visit through the lower Districts of my Diocese, that a
measure had been brought into the lower branch of the Legisla-
ture, without the slightest reference to me or the College Council,
to cancel our Royal Charter, and to confiscate our endowment,
the gift of our late Sovereign King George the Fourth.
Still I cannot bring myself to believe that your Excellency was
made fully aware of its withering provisions, before its introduc-
tion, so repugnant to every principle of justice and good govern-
ment, and so hostile to the national faith ; nor can I think that
your Excellency has yet been made acquainted with its sweeping
and revolutionary character.
That I have reason to cherish this belief will appear from the
fact, that the Governor for the time being was made Chancellor,
in order to protect the University from unnecessary molestation
and attack ; and in accordance with this, I have no grounds for
believing that any one of the Chancellors of the University have
hitherto consulted their Executive Councils respecting it, or per-
mitted them to interfere in any manner with its objects or
interests. Even at the time that amendments were made by the
Legislature to the original Charter, the consent of the Crown was
first obtained for their introduction. On the present occasion, no
such consent has. either been sought or obtained from the Sove-
reign ; nor has any reference been made to the President and
College Council ; nor any opportunity afforded them to defend
their vested rights from unjust aggression.
Had this been done, I feel persuaded that your Excellency, as
Chancellor, and the appointed guardian and protector of the
Institution, would have felt it your first duty to withhold your
concurrence from the revolting changes which the Bill contem-
plates ; and which, in my humble opinion, involve in their
tendency the safety of the Colony and its dependence on the
Crown.
It places in peril the whole property of the Province, tramples
on conscience, and infringes our rights, spiritual and temporal.
From our present Chancellor, as from his predecessors, we
have a right to expect aid and protection ; and as the responsible
Minister of the Crown, and not under the controul of any power
iu the Colony, that he will guard King's College like the apple of
his eye, and deem any invasion of its rights an invasion of the
Prerogative of the Crown.
54 THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL.
It seems to me that before the Governor of any colony sanctions
measures involving the rights of established Institutions, such as
respect the education of the population, and the undoubted privi-
leges of the United Church of England and Ireland, it is his
bounden duty to be satisfied that they are just and constitutional.
To admit of enactments of a different character, would expose
him to the charge of departing from his high station, and of
compromising the Royal Prerogative. And he is sworn to
maintain and not to hazard the safety of the Colony.
And indeed one of the great evils of which we have to com-
plain, since the unhappy perpetration of the union, is that neither
the genial influences of the Crown, nor its firm support of con-
stitutional principles, have been felt, if they have been exercised.
In all Colonies, the Governor must be answerable to the
Imperial Government, and not to any within the Colony : other-
wise, it loses its dependence as a Colony, and becomes an
independent state.
The condition of that Colony would indeed be deplorable, in
which it should be found that the Governor or Administrator,
whether from indifference, a deficiency of moral courage, or the
desire of popularity, has ceased to exercise, in the spirit of firm-
ness and justice, the high functions with which he is entrusted
as the Representative of his Sovereign.
Permit me, in conclusion, to implore your Excellency, as you
value your well-earned reputation, and the connexion of this
noble Colony with the Crown, to protect our University, as all
the Chancellors at home do theirs, from threatened destruction.
It is the only Royal Institution in Canada West which promises
to pursue the glorious path and earn the reputation of Oxford and
Cambridge, which have, for more than a thousand years, been
the eyes of the British Empire.
I remain, Sir, with great respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant,
JOHN TORONTO.
His Lordship also addressed the following memorial to
the Legislative Assembly, in which the objections to this
projected measure are most clearly and forcibly stated.
The Memorial ofJolm, by Divine Permission, Bishop of Toronto,
RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH, —
That a Bill has been presented for the consideration of your
Honourable House, intituled " An Act to provide for the separate
exercise of the Collegiate and University functions of the College
established at the city of Toronto, in Upper Canada, for incorpo-
THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL. 55
rating certain other Colleges and Collegiate institutions of that
division of the Province with the University ; and for the more
efficient establishment and satisfactory government of the same,"
in which Bill enactments are introduced, which, in the opinion
of your Memorialist, are subversive of the sacred rights of con-
science, as well as of property, and altogether repugnant to the
British Constitution, and to civil and religious liberty. And
although your Memorialist deems it impossible for your Hon-
ourable House to countenance a measure so deadly to the best
interests of man, yet the very fact that it has been presented, is
so alarming as to justify a brief reference to its objects, its cha-
racter, and its consequences.
I. ITS OBJECTS.
1. The leading object of the Bill is to place all forms of error
upon an equality with truth, by patronizing equally within the
same Institution an unlimited number of sects, whose doctrines
are absolutely irreconcileable ; a principle in its nature atheistical,
and so monstrous in its consequence, that, if successfully carried
out, it would utterly destroy all that is pure and holy in morals
and religion, and would lead to greater corruption than anything
adopted during the madness of the French Revolution, when that
unhappy country abjured the Christian Faith, and set up in its
stead the worship of the Goddess of Reason. Such a fatal de-
parture from all that is good, is without a parallel in the history
of the world ; unless indeed some resemblance to it can be found
in Pagan Rome, which to please the nations she had conquered,
condescended to associate their impure idolatries with her own.
2'. In accordance with this godless principle, the second object
of the bill is to destroy the Royal Charter of the University of
King's College, and to deprive it of its endowment, and to apply
the latter to purposes which His late Majesty King George the
Fourth never contemplated, much less those who petitioned suc-
cessfully for the Charter and Endowment. Two things were
prayed for, — first, the means of educating young men for the
ministry of the United Church of England and Ireland, the
Church of the Empire, and of which the Sovereign is the
temporal head ; secondly, the power to open the College or
University for secular learning to the whole population. Both
were most graciously granted by the reigning Sovereign. The
University was placed under the government of a Council whose
members were all of the United Church of England and Ireland,
that in this, the most important of all points, namely, Religion,
there might be perfect unity. The Visitor was the Bishop of
Quebec, and the president the Archdeacon of York ; so that the
religious teaching in the University might be that which the
Royal Founder professed and was sworn to maintain as the
religion of the Empire.
56 THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL.
Now it is to be remembered that his late Majesty King George
the Fourth had an undoubted right to grant the Charter and
Endowment; and being once granted, after long and careful
enquiry and deliberation, as was the case in this instance, I con-
tend firmly, but respectfully, that it is not competent for any
power or authority to take them away, or apply them to purposes
foreign to, and inconsistent with, the Royal intention. The
King5, in virtue of his Coronation oath, had not the power to
patronize or establish any other form of worship, within the
University of King's College, than that of the National Faith ;
and it is well known that His Majesty neither did nor could
profess any other ; and yet the proposed bill drops the principal
object of the Charter, namely, that, so far as religious instruction
is concerned, the Christianity taught shall be that of the United
Church of England and Ireland, and no other, and opens the door
to every species of error taught by the numerous sects which have
dissented from that pure branch of the Catholic Church of
Christ.
So deeply was the Venerable Society for promoting Christian
Knowledge impressed with this view of the subject, that they
presented a selection of the works of the best Divines of the
Church of England, to the amount of five hundred pounds,
sterling, as a commencement of a library for the Divinity depart-
ment.
3. The third prominent object of this deadly measure is to
restrain the Royal prerogative, so that no Royal Charter shall in
future be granted for the establishment of any Seminary what-
ever, with power to confer degrees, except the proposed Institu-
tion, and which is to be constituted a complete monopoly of
science, and of what it calls Divinity, and so to preclude any class
of Her Majesty's subjects, whatever their wishes may be, from
escaping its tyrannical and intolerant provisions, and prevent
them from erecting Seminaries for the secular and religious
instruction of their own youth : thus instituting a refinement of
intolerance and slavery unknown in the worst of times.
4-. The fourth object is insidiously and indirectly, but virtually
and effectually, to proscribe in this British colony the Church of
England, the bulwark of the Protestant faith, the Church of the
Sovereign and of the Empire ; to degrade her ministry by
excluding them from all professional education and academical
honours, except with the sacrifice of conscience ; and such is the
bitter hostility manifested by the framers of this measure to the
national Faith, that they seek to insult the Church of England
in the person of your Memorialist, by inventing for him a new
title, instead of « Bishop of Toronto," conferred upon him by his
Sovereign, with whom the sole power rests by the British con-
stitution of establishing Bishoprics, and settling the titles of the
incumbents thereof.
THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL. 57
II. THE CHARACTER OF THE PROPOSED UVIVERSITY.
1. It is decidely irreligious and revolutionary, since it not only
attempts to hold up the Christian religion to the contempt of
wicked men, by establishing in the same Seminary various deno-
minations whose principles are hostile and irreconcileable, but
disturbs social order by unsettling the property of the whole
country. The University of King's College holds its endowment
by the same title by which the lands of the Colony are held by
their proprietors, and the Legislature may, with equal justice,
seize upon and confiscate the property of individuals as that of
the University.
2. It is even worse than revolutionary, for the endowment of
King's College, New York, was left untouched by the Revolu-
tion, and remains at this day in the sole possession of that Insti-
tution : the only change was the name, which, after the peace of
1782, was altered from King's to Columbia College. So far were
our neighbours from breaking down, or even molesting, literary
institutions, that they have at all times been zealously disposed to
support and to build them up ; much less have they attempted
the monstrous novelty of combining all sorts of religious sects in
one great institution. On the contrary, they have been liberal in
bestowing grants on the Colleges of different persuasions, each
separate from the other ; and they have been most scrupulous in
all that they did to guard and protect the rights of conscience ;
they felt that to establish and build up requires wisdom and
ability, but to break down what is useful, venerable, and holy,
requires, instead of ability and talent, the mere exertion of
arbitrary and reckless power.
3. The most prominent result of such an experiment as that
of uniting all denominations of Christians, as well as persons of
no religion, in the management of the same institution, must of
necessity be anarchy. It is certainly the first experiment of the
kind ever contemplated in any country ; and to hope that a
University so managed can proceed in harmony and with effici-
ency, is to set at naught all ibrmer experience.
4. It is true the Charter has been already altered by the
Legislature, but such alteration had been previously assented to
by the Crown, and it left the vital portions uninjured. The
endowment remained untouched, and the Divinity Department
was maintained on its original footing ; and while nothing can
be more open or less exclusive in its character than the Charter
of King's College now is, yet it is secured from anarchy and con-
fusion, and its efficiency made certain, by vesting the power of
carrying its provisions into 2ffect, so far as appointments are
concerned, in the Crown, where it ought to be, and which I
firmly believe to be satisfactory to the great majority of the
population.
58 THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL.
III. ITS CONSEQUENCES.
1. It excludes from all participation of the advantages granted
by the Royal Charter and Endowment the Church for whose
benefit they were more especially designed, except on conditions
to which that Church can never consent. Lamentably would
the United Church of England and Ireland descend from her
high and lofty position, were she to place the purity of her doc-
trine, and the teachers thereof, in the great school of her faith, —
the nursery of her Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons, — either
directly or indirectly, under the control of bodies of which some
have no acknowledged religious character, and others are the
avowed foes of her Articles, Creeds, and discipline. When I
consider the sacred responsibilities entailed upon those whom God
has called to preside over the studies of the youth destined for the
ministry of our holy Church, I feel it is impossible they can be
suffered to take part in any such an Institution as that contem-
plated.
If it be said that neither the proposed Caput, nor Board of
Control, are to be permitted to meddle with the Divinity
Students, then why should they be attached to an Institution so
unnaturally combined, as that which the Bill seeks to establish.
But this cannot be. The proposed University, through its Caput,
Board of Control, and Convocation, legislates for, executes the
laws, and controls the several Colleges as it may think fit ; and
under such a system, neither the students of the Church of
England, nor their instructors, can be preserved from dangerous
associations, and from the constant presence of error and schism,
against which we are bound to pray.
2. The measure unsettles all property, by depriving the
University of King's College of an endowment which is the gift
of the Crown, and thus it introduces a precedent, the most
destructive to the very existence of society. If the Patents for
land are to be touched, there is an end to the permanency of any
Institution, and public and private property is alike placed at the
mercy of a reckless and changing majority. The University of
King's College holds its property by direct grant from the Crown,
and its title to the same is equally if not more clear than that by
which the Religious and Collegiate Institutions of Lower Canada
hold theirs, though very inferior in value and extent ; but if it is
to be confiscated without reason, and applied at the will of the
Legislature, it is only the commencement of an evil that all good
men must deplore. There may be a majority found (though I do
not believe it) willing to confiscate the University of King's
College ; but in a very short time, should so wicked a thing be
consummated, another majority will be found, fortified by so
unprincipled a precedent, to confiscate the "like endowments in
Lower Canada ; for it is not to be supposed that when once con-
THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL. 59
fiscation once commences, it will be permitted to stop, more
especially since the temptation will be much greater. The
endowment of the University of King's College amounts only to
two hundred and twenty-five thousand acres, whereas the pro-
perty belonging to the Collegiate and Religious Institutions of
Lower Canada exceeds two millions of acres, as appears from the
following table : —
jti) .{-. 'ii :;j1..:«-iii1.i VvfU V-!*V"V>«{ ,=»-S^j;i:J ifr'Slim
The Ursuline Convent of Quebec 164,616 acres
The Ursuiines of Three Rivers 38,909 «
Recollets 945 «
Bishop and Seminary of Quebec 6 93 ,324 «
Jesuits 891,845 "
St. Sulpicians, Montreal .............250,191 "
General Hospital, Quebec 28,497 "
Do. Do. Montreal 404 «
Hotel Dieu, Quebec 14,112 "
Leurs Grises 42,336 «
2,125,179 «
Your Memorialist deprecates touching one single acre of these
endowments ; they are all dedicated to sacred purposes, and
should be held sacred. What he contends for, is, that the En-
dowment of the University of King's College is equally sacred,
and that, if it be taken away (which God forbid) the time will
come, sooner or later, when so productive a precedent will be
applied to their confiscation. Your Memorialist therefore prays
that the Endowment of the University of King's College may
remain as it is, undisturbed, and he feels assured, that no one who
honestly wishes to preserve the endowments in Lower Canada,
can, with any consistency, vote for its confiscation.
3. A third consequence will flow from this measure, should it
unfortunately pass, highly detrimental to the character and
working of the British Constitution. The Crown- will be
degraded in the eyes of the people, and henceforth its gifts will
be despised as so much waste paper, and the salutary influence of
the Sovereign and the Representative become unfelt and un-
known.
4. A fourth consequence will be, the certain disgrace that so
wicked a measure, should it become law, will reflect upon the
Province. No attempt has ever been made in any country pro-
fessing Christianity, to place all the errors of weak and wicked
men on an equality with Gospel truth. An attempt was indeed
made in Prussia some years ago by a stretch of tyrannical power,
scarcely compatible even with despotism, to amalgamate, as it
were, the Lutheran and Calvinistic denominations, but it has sig-
nally failed. Men are not machines, nor are their minds malleable
g0 THE LORD BISHOP'S MEMORIAL.
like iron. What a melancholy specimen of the march of intellect
in the nineteenth century does this dishonest and intolerant mea-
sure exhibit I
5. Another consequence of the measure is, that it destroys the
value of academical degrees ; for those it confers will at best be
acknowledged only within the Province, whereas degrees con-
ferred under the Royal Charter are recognised throughout the
British Empire, because they emanate from the Crown. Thus
the destruction of the Charter of the University of King's Col-
lege, takes away all that is honourable in the degrees, and leaves
them worthless.
6. Again, the provisions of the Bill preclude the slightest hope
that any one will ever, by gift or bequest, endow a literary or
religious Seminary in this unhappy Province. No person could
be found so foolish as to do so, under restrictions so absurd, —
restrictions which hinder the donor from giving the power of
management of the endowment to whom he chooses, and in the
way he desires, or to acquire from the Crown the immunities and
Srivileges essential to a University, and which confer upon it
ignity and importance.
7. A farther pernicious consequence which must flow from this
measure, is the precedent which it affords of meddling continually,
and session after session, with Seminaries of learning, and which
ought never to be touched except in cases of extreme necessity.
The senseless and unjust clamours raised against the University
of King's College, operated so far a few years ago upon a Govern-
ment more disposed at the time to yield to expediency than
adhere firmly to sound principle, as to induce it to countenance
certain amendments of the Charter (as they were called), and in
which, for the sake of peace, the College Council reluctantly
acquiesced, and certainly in the hope that the Institution would
never again be molested. But although its enemies were, for a
time, satisfied, yet the desire of novelty which generally marks
the absence of correct principles, has called up a new conspiracy
against King's College, and the result is the measure now before
your Honourable House, in which its enemies seem cordially to
agree (if in nothing else) in their implacable enmity to the Church
of England, and are willing to surrender or modify their distinc-
tive views and doctrines, provided they can accomplish the
destruction of the only literary and religious institution of any
character within the province of Upper Canada. Precedents are
thus afforded of continually disturbing the University of King's
College, and destroying that tranquility and repose which are
essential to the prosperity and well-being of seats of learning.
IV. Having thus touched upon the objects, character, and
consequences of the proposed measure for destroying the Univer-
sity of King's College, and seizing upon its endowments, it does
not appear necessary for your Memorialist to dwell upon the
FAILURE OF THE BILL. 61
details of the Bill, for if it "be as your Memorialist is convinced,
based on principles at once inconsistent with the rights of con-
science, and of civil and religious liberty, it is of little importance
to enter upon the minor objections, such as the deplorable unac-
quaintance with literary institutions everywhere displayed, —
the cumbrous and impracticable machinery, — the discordant
nature of the bodies in which the various powers are lodged, &c.
It may be sufficient to remark that the adoption of the Bill will
be to destroy a noble Institution, which if left unmolested, would
in a short time shed a lustre over the whole Province ; and this
without the slightest necessity, since it is quite competent for the
Legislature to grant separate endowments to such Christian
denominations as it may delight to honour, without trenching on
the rights of the Church of England, or the integrity of the Uni-
versity of King's College.
In conclusion, your Memorialist respectfully, but of right,
claims the continuance of the same protection, privileges and
immunities for the University of King's College which are pos-
sessed, without hindrance or molestation, by the Roman Catholic
Seminaries and Institutions of Lower Canada, and to which it is
equally entitled by every principle of justice and honour.
Should your Memorialist unhappily fail in arresting the further
progress of this fatal Bill in the Provincial Legislature, he has
still the consolation to know that it is one of those measures
which cannot be finally disposed of by the Colonial authorities, as
it deals with and compromises the most important principles of
revealed Religion, and must be referred to the Imperial Parlia-
ment : and he feels satisfied that it will be viewed by that
august body in the same light, as a measure obnoxious to every
right principle, human and divine, offensive to conscience and
social order, and such as cannot be entertained for a moment by
a Christian nation. And your memorialist, &c.
Toronto, November, 1843.
On examination, this Bill was found so clumsy and
impracticable in its details, and some of them so puerile
and silly, that before it was half discussed, it became a
subject of general merriment and ridicule, and its author
was glad to permit it to sink into oblivion.
The party favourable to this measure lost the manage-
ment of public affairs, and their opponents, who professed
to be Conservatives, became the administrators of the
Government.
62 THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER.
It was now hoped that King's College would be left in
peace, and be allowed to win its way, as it was rapidly
doing, in the affections of the people.
But, instead of permitting it to proceed in its onward
course, the new ministry, as they were called, yielded to
the clamour of a most insignificant faction, and introduced
a measure, in 1845, respecting the Institution, little better
than that of their opponents.
To oppose this measure, His Lordship addressed the
following letter to the Governor General, Sir Charles Met-
calfe, as Chancellor of the University of King's College.
Toronto, March 6th, 1844.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, —
It is I find a prevailing impression, that in the next session of
the Legislature, either independently of the Government or with
its sanction, some measure will be brought forward for effecting
changes, I know not of what description, in the University of
King's College. And it is further reported, that Your Excellency
has under consideration some plan which would affect not only
the Government of the University, but the integrity of the
endowment conferred upon it by the Crown.
I know nothing of the truth of these reports ; and considering
my early connection with the Institution, and the position which
I occupy under its Charter, 1 ought perhaps to assume, that it
cannot be Your Excellency's intention to proceed in any such
measures as are spoken of without affording to me, as President
of the College and senior member of the Council, a timely oppor-
tunity of expressing my sentiments upon them.
It would be my wish and my duty to state, without reserve, to
Your Excellency, upon such a reference, whatever views I might
entertain of any project that may be suggested ; and though
your Excellency has not hitherto thought fit to refer to me on a
subject with which I am in so particular a manner connected, —
and though I have no interest or desire in it but such as becomes
a" member of the National Church, zealous for the advancement
of religion and learning to entertain, — yet I shall but discharge a
duty which I feel I owe to this country, in which the greater
TO SIR CHARLES METCALFE. 63
part of my life has been spent, by venturing, though unasked, to
communicate freely with Your Excellency, as Chancellor of the
University, on this important matter.
Your Excellency knows the early history of the Charter. I
believe it may be truly said, that at the time it was granted no
member of the Crown, nor any Colonial Government, would have
contemplated the founding and endowing a seat of learning
which was not to have a known and distinct religious cha-
racter.
None such had been hitherto constituted by Iloyal Charter in
any part of the British dominions ; and as it was desired to lay
the foundation in this country of an institution such as those
which had for ages conferred inestimable advantages on the
several portions of the United Kingdom, it was felt indispensable
to constitute it, to some extent at least, upon the same principle.
To give it a distinct religious character, it was necessary to
connect it with some one Church ; and the preference could not
be so naturally and properly bestowed as upon the Established
Church of the Empire, — the religion of the Sovereign, by whose
munificence it was to be endowed.
Still there was as little exclusion or restriction in the Charter
as was at all consistent with the object in view.
There was about the same time an University to be founded in
the Province of New Brunswick : the same constitution was given
to each ; and it was a constitution more liberal than had ever
been conferred by a Royal Charter under the Great Seal of
England upon any seat of learning, or I should rather perhaps say
more latitudinarian ; for it seems an abuse of the term liberal to
assume, that whatever is in its nature unsound and at variance
with principle, is worthy of having that character ascribed to it.
I was in England at the time soliciting the Charter in person,
and have it in my power to show conclusively that the great
difficulty I experienced was to obtain the sanction of the Govern-
ment to the University being made so open as it was.
The only security provided by the original Charter for the
maintenance within the College of the doctrines and worship of
the Church of England, was, as Your Excellency is aware, the
condition that the President and members of the College Council
should belong to that Church, and that degrees in Divinity could
be conferred only upon those who were of her communion.
This afforded an assurance that no opposing doctrines would
be taught there ; and it was hoped it would prove a sufficient
security against the evils of Dissent, and strife upon the subject
of religion. But as regarded the Professors who were to teach the
sciences, or the youth who were to learn them, there was no test
whatever: they might belong to any Church or profess any
faith.
A clamour was certainly soon raised against the Charter, in the
64
THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER.
colony, upon no more reasonable ground than that it recognized
a distinction between the Church of England and the various
sects which differed from her doctrine. In this country the
motives and objects which led to these attacks were well under-
stood and appreciated ; and it was impossible to give credit to the
authors of them for honesty of purpose, when it was perceived
with how little scruple they perverted and misstated the condi-
tions and effect of the Charter of which they complained.
But, being encouraged and aided by a party in England, and
not withstood by Government, as they might have been with
success, they became more formidable than they would have
been, if some degree of confidence had been shewn in supporting
what was just and right. The hesitation in acting upon the
Charter encouraged more violent attacks ; and after some years
of delay and agitation, the Secretary of State invited the
Assembly to take the matter into their own hands.
No man, I believe, who values what is good and stable in
government, can for a moment doubt that this was a most unwise
and unfortunate course. It was, I think wholly without example
to that hour, that a Colonial Assembly should be allowed by their
Acts to mutilate a Royal Charter, which had been granted by
the Government, after long deliberation, under the Great Seal of
the United Kingdom. The mischiefs which were sure to flow
from such a proceeding have been apparent, from the moment a
course so irregular and unconstitutional was permitted, and they
were never more evident than they are now.
It was quite obvious and certain, that no settlement of a ques-
tion could be regarded as final which rested upon the provisions
of a Colonial Statute, — and more especially a question in which
the animosities of religious sects, and the feelings and desires of
political factions, could be brought to bear.
If the hideous scheme (or as it is described by our friends in
England, " a project glaringly opposed to every principle of justice,
equity and law ") proposed during the last session had become a
]aw, which seemed at one time to be not impossible, it would
very soon have been found how vain had been the sacrifice of
the best and most important interests of the country, in the hope
of having a respite from the clamour and violence of party. The
same power which had placed the matter upon so calamitous a
footing, could as freely change its condition, and would no doubt
do so, just as caprices or opinions or interests, widely distinct
from those of religion, might seem to dictate.
But though I cannot avoid dwelling with painful feelings on
the unnecessary abandonment (as it has always appeared to me)
of what might have been the best and proudest distinction of this
country above all other parts of the American continent, namely,
— an University founded on sound religious principles, amply
endowed, and deriving its Professors from the renowned Colleges
TO SIR CHARLES METCALFE. Q$
of Great Britain ; yet I admit that there is little hope that either
the Government or the Legislature will retrace their steps.
It is therefore more to the purpose to ask ourselves what refuge
can be discovered from the interminable struggles and changes
and dissensions which we must look forward to, so long as King's
College holds its Charter by the present tenure ; and what
method can be found for saving from the wreck of this noble pro-
vision, made in better times and under happier auspices, some-
thing that may be worth preserving, and that may afford a
ground of hope in looking to the future.
If there could be the slightest assurance that under the Charter,
as it stands, the University would be upheld by the Government,
and suffered to continue upon a footing resembling in practice,
though it does not in theory, any of those seats of learning which
are the glory of the mother country,! should of course not desire
to suggest any change ; but it is impossible not to despair of this,
when I recollect what took place only a few months ago.
I see but two methods by which anything like a satisfactory
result could be secured.
The first is, by endowing Colleges out of the portion of the
Clergy Reserves which are placed at the disposal of the Govern-
ment (or other lands under their controul) for the several bodies of
Christians it may be thought proper and desirable to assist in this
manner, leaving, or I should rather say restoring, the present
University to what it was originally calculated to be, and without
breaking in upon its endowment.
The second is by appropriating to the Church of England the
same portion of the endowment as the Imperial Parliament
assigned to her out of the Clergy Reserves — that is to say^five-
twelfths — and applying the remaining seven-twelfths in en-
dowing Colleges for such other religious divisions of the popula-
tion as may by the Government be thought best.
The members of the Church of Scotland might in this plan be
liberally assisted ; and as to any other- denomination of Chris-
tians, it would rest with the Government to determine what they
should receive, and to what extent. Of course, in the event of
such division, it would be necessary to grant separate charters to
each College, entirely free from any political influence, and in
entire connexion with its respective Church or denomination.
The different religious Societies in Canada have already shewn
their sense of what no wise and good man doubts (for all history
and observation confirm it), that the only satisfactory foundation
a College can rest upon, is that of a known and certain religious
character.
It cannot be denied that it would be a great evil thus to split
up an endowment, which, if left, entire, would for many years to
come yield as large a revenue as could be advantageously em-
ployed, or would indeed be required, for maintaining one good
66 THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER.
University upon an efficient and liberal scale. But it would be
a less evil to encounter than that which we have so lately been
threatened with. It is unhappily too evident, that to preserve
the institution in its integrity, as a means of diffusing the
blessings of true religion and sound learning, and giving an
enlightened support to the cause of order and good government,
requires a degree of wisdom and firmness which we may look for
in vain. The next best measure to be hoped for, then, is the being
secured in some smaller and less adequate provision ; which, being
enjoyed in peace, and dispensed upon rational principles, may
form at least a foundation of such a constitution as may command
the confidence of parents, and gradually entitle it to the favour
and respect of the enlightened portion of mankind.
It is not in the nature of things that confidence and respect can
ever attend a seat of learning, where, if a Church is spoken of, it
must be a Church without government ; and where, if religion is
taught, it must be religion without doctrine.
Above all things, I claim from the endowment the means of
educating my clergy. This was my chief object in obtaining the
Charter and endowment of King's College, as appears from my
original application ; and it was fully recognized by the Imperial
Government, as is evident from the tenure of the Charter, and
was indeed the most valuable result to be anticipated by the
Institution. It was on this account that one of the great Church
Societies in England granted us a Divinity library, and the other
promised to increase it when the University was in full operation.
To deprive the Church of this benefit, would be to aim a deadly
blow at her very foundation, and to cut off the principal advan-
tage tve had in view in seeking for the establishment of a seat of
learning in Upper Canada. This is a point which never can be
given up, and to which I believe the faith of Government is
unreservedly pledged.
I have thus, under small encouragement I confess, discharged
what I considered to be an imperative duty, in laying before your
Excellency what occurs to me on this important question ; for I
have not been able to persuade myself that my being Spiritual
head of the Church of England in this Colony, and the President
of King's College, are the reasons why I should not be supposed
to have a deep concern in the safety and success of an Institution
in which it was from the first intended that the Church should
possess a great interest, and why, having an opinion, I should not
venture to express it.
I have the honour to be, with great respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient
humble Servant,
(Signed) JOHN TORONTO.
THE BISHOP'S LETTER TO EARL CATHCART. 67
For its revolutionary character and demerits, it is suf-
ficient to refer to the Memorial of the Visitors of the Col-
lege, being also the Judges of the Supreme Court, in the
Appendix, (o)
Subsequently to this, the Lord Bishop wrote the following
lettet to His Excellency the Right Honourable the Earl of
Cathcart) then administering the Government.
Toronto, March 2nd, 1846.
MY LORD, — The answer given by the Council of the University
of King's College to your Lordship's reference upon the subject
of the Charter, will have put your Lordship fully in possession of
their opinions.
Concurring as I do in their opinions, I do not desire to submit
to Your Lordship any views or suggestions varying from those
embodied in the Council's Report ; but considering my position
in the University, and the part which I had in obtaining the
original Charter, I beg to be allowed to Supply the \vant of oppor-
tunity of a personal conference with your Lordship oil this highly
interesting Subject, by Submitting to your Lordship's attention the
following explanations and statements.
It is perhaps superfluous to remark, that the subject to which
your Lordship has thus early given your earnest attention, is one
of the most important, if not the most important, that can engage
the public consideration. Indeed, it is not possible to estimate
too highly the degree in which the future prosperity and happi-
ness of Upper Canada may be influenced by the manner in which
what has been long familiarly called the University Question
shall be finally disposed of.
The public character of the people, the soundness and perma-
nency of their civil institutions — in short, the probability of their
pursuing hereaiter the course most conducive to their prosperity
and happiness, and to the welfare of those with whom they are
by any relation connected — must depend mainly upon the educa-
tion and training of those who are to fill the several professions,
the Halls of Legislation and the Courts of Justice, and upon
whom, from their position in society, the interests of religion,
science, commerce and the arts, and the maintenance of a just
and free government, must always chiefly depend.
Upper Canada is at present in a condition to avail herself very
largely of the benefits of a good and comprehensive system of
o. Appendices F. p. 28, G. p. 30*
I
<jg THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER
Collegiate education. The population is large, and is increasing
in wealth ; the prospects of the learned professions are most
rapidly expanding, and they must soon possess an influence in
society which, except in times of violence and confusion, must
always attend superior knowledge and intelligence.
The interest, too, which is attached to these considerations, is
much enhanced by the fact, which every one must see, and
should feel very forcibly, that it is in this generation the founda-
tions are to be laid in Upper Canada, of a state of things which
must operate favourably or unfavourably, at no distant period,
upon some millions of people.
Looking at the exertions which have been made in other
countries for founding and endowing Universities, — and often by
means which can only be gradual in their operation, and have
been long in producing the desired effects, — it cannot but be con-
sidered a most fortunate circumstance for Upper Canada, that
from the provident attention of the Government to this object at
an early period, and by an arrangement afterwards happily
suggested and concurred in by the Secretary of State, an ample
and magnificent endowment has been erected for the support of
an University, upon a liberal scale, and by means which, it is
easy to show most plainly and conclusively, cannot in the
slightest degree have affected, except indeed beneficially, the
provision made for other Educational purposes.
This endowment, which may at this moment be regarded,
as ample for the present purposes of the University, is sure to
rise in value, if judiciously husbanded, as the condition of the
Province improves ; and it is impossible that any one who takes
a sincere interest in the welfare of this country can reflect without
the most grateful emotions, that without depending on the
uncertain resources of private benevolence, or relying upon sup-
port from public charges, which might be borne with impatience,
this province is now, at a comparatively early period of its
history, secured in the means of maintaining an University upon
such a scale, that, while it opens inestimable advantages to all
classes of the people, it may be made to constitute the greatest
ornament of the country, and the most powerful means of
attracting to it that description of emigrants from the United
Kingdom whose wealth, intelligence, enterprise and sound prin-
ciples, make them invaluable settlers in a new country.
It has been very often repeated, but seems nevertheless to be
generally forgotten, that when the Sovereign bestowed this noble
gift upon the country, and incorporated the University, which his
Royal grant was to support, he conferred upon it a charter of a
less exclusive character than any that had before been granted
to any University endowed by the Crown. It had, it is true, a
known and religious character, — the intention being that religious
instruction was to be dispensed there as in all other Universities
TO EARL CATHCART. 69
of Royal foundation, and according to the doctrines and discipline
of the National Church. To ensure this and to lay the best
foundation for harmony in the conducting the Institution, it was
required that the members of the College Council should all be
members of the Church of England. Such Professors therefore
as might not belong to that Church, could not be members of the
Council ; but, except the Professors of Divinity, they might all
have been members of any other Church, and to the youth of all
religious denominations the College wa,s freely open for instruc-
tion in the sciences, — no test whatever being required at their
matriculation, or for obtaining any but Divinity degrees.
This was the Charter as it originally stood ; and, therefore,
when the Legislature of Upper Canada by their Statute 7 Wm.
IV. cap. 16, enacted that it shall not be necessary that any mem-
bers of the College Council, or any Professor, shall be a member
of the Church of England, or subscribe to any articles of religion,
other than a declaration that they believe in the Divine Inspira-
tion of the Old and New Testament, and in the doctrine of the
Trinity ; and when they further enacted that no religious test or
qualification shall be required of scholars admitted or matriculated
within the College, or of persons admitted to any degree or
faculty therein — they in fact enacted what was clearly super-
fluous, except as it regarded the members of the Council and the
single faculty of Divinity, for with these exceptions no tests were
required of Professors or Scholars by the Charter as it stood. And
the alteration which the statute did in fact make, was in requiring
a declaration (very vague certainly) of religious belief, where
none whatsoever was required before.
Still, notwithstanding this public appearance of having
abolished by a Legislative measure what had never in fact
existed, so little have any enlightened knowledge of facts, and a
cairn and dispassionate consideration of them seemed to have
prevailed in most of the discussions which the University has
given rise to, that up to this moment it may be observed, that in
the resolutions passed at public meetings, and in the petitions
which are circulated for signature, it is in general most earnestly
insisted upon, that there shall be no tests, and no exclusion, when
the Charter is already perfectly open and free, and has been so for
nine years past, except as to the declaration which the Legislature
alone has requiied by their Act respecting a belief in the Scrip-
tures, and in the Trinity ; and it is difficult to understand how
any Charter could be made more open than it now is, — or less
bound by any obligation to religious truth, unless indeed it should
contain a public invitation to infidels to come and take charge of
an institution endowed by our Sovereign, and founded, as the
Charter expresses it, for the education of Youth in the principles
of the Christian religion.
When it is seen how easy it is to incite people to clamour for
70 THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER
changes as being indispensable to the public peace, some of
which very changes were made many years ago by an Act of
Parliament, and others never could be made, because the state of
things complained of has never existed, it must appear to be a
hopeless expectation that the University can ever be placed upon
tiiat footing that it shall be no longer found fault with and
attacked.
I can see very clearly, my Lord, that it must be essential to the
success of any institution, that the principles on which it is based
should be regarded with confidence and favour by those who
would be likely to participate most largely in the advantages it
offers ; and that it would be most unwise not to defer to the
opinions of those who, by their intelligence and knowledge, are
most capable of judging soundly upon such questions, and also by
their dispositions are inclined to seek and maintain what is best,
rather than to look for relief from a little present trouble, by
sacriticing for ever inestimable interests.
But the misfortune is, that there can always be brought to
bear upon these questions strong expressions of opinion from
large classes of persons who are not well informed of the actual
condition of things which they are encouraged to attack ; and of
whom it may be said, without injustice or unkindness, that they
are, from various causes, unable to estimate rightly the nature
and value of objects which the Universities are intended to pro-
mote, or to judge soundly of the best means of attaining them.
Still, to conciliate the goodwill of this large class of the com^
munity, is by no means a matter of indifference ; but the occasion
for regret is, that this is not always practicable, or at least that it
often requires much patience and time to accomplish it. It is
happy when the efforts of those who possess more knowledge and
experience are employed in attempting to lead the multitude to
think rightly, but when they are, on the contrary, industriously
exerted to mislead them,— r-the consequences may be more or less
disastrous according to the wisdom and firmness of those upon
whom the duty rests of withstanding to the utmost any mis-*
chievotis popular delusion. Throughout the discussions that have
taken place respecting King's College, strong convictions have
been expressed on all sides of the necessity of putting it without
loss of time " upon a satisfactory footing ;" and if by that, is
meant the placing the Institution upon such a footing as will best
insure its usefulness and success, it is certain that there can be
nothing more desirable. But if, by " a satisfactory footing " be
meant such a footing as every one will declare himself satisfied
with, so that none can any longer be brought to complain of the
University Charter, under the influence of any motive or for the
furtherence of any design, then I fear that all that is valuable in
the Charter may be sacrificed in the vain hope of arriving at an
impossible result. It might indeed without much difficulty be
TO EARL CATHCART. 71
contrived to strip the College so effectually of every attribute of a
seat of sacred Academical learning, that it would be difficult for
those whose prejudices are enlisted against whatever appears to
be most excellent, to find any thing to condemn ; and by such
means an unreasonable clamour might be silenced, if that were
all that it was important to accomplish. And so indeed might
the same end be attained even more certainly and speedily, if all
the means of such an institution could be irrecoverably sunk in
the ocean ; which would be a proceeding much the same in prin-
ciple, though more direct in its operation, and such as all mankind
would be competent to judge of, if it were plainly proposed to
them.
Your Lordship, I am sure, will agree in the opinion, that in
order to enable this University to answer the great purposes for
which it was founded, it must be so conducted as to attract the
respect and confidence of such fathers of families as can alone be
expected to send their children there to be educated, among whom
there would probably n6t be found one in five hundred of those
who, for mere paltry purposes, are stimulated to sign intemperate
petitions respecting matters of which they have no knowledge,
and into which they will not take the trouble to enquire. Its
being popular with those who disclaim as much as possible the
preference of any one religious doctrine to another — as if they
were all equally false, or all equally indifferent — will be no
recommendation to the generality of parents who desire to give
their children a University education.
Again, if its system and discipline do not in a great degree
correspond in essential matters with those of the time-honoured
Institutions of our Parent Country, and do not appear to be such
as afford a reasonable prospect of an harmonious and respectable
state of things within the walls of the Institution, we shall
assuredly desire in vain to obtain the services of eminent men of
other Universities ; for they will not commit their fortunes to the
chance of succeding in any fanciful experiment which their
judgment and feelings will condemn. And there is this farther
consideration, that if it is desired to make the University as useful
as possible to the youth of Canada, by opening the way to hon-
ourable distinctions in the pursuits of Science, then it is necessary
to place it on such a footing that we can hope to find its degrees
and honours respected in other countries.
The loss of such advantages would be poorly compensated by
purchasing, if it could be done in exchange for them, an immunity
from such opposition and prejudices as it is the common lot of
whatever is excellent to encounter for a time.
I will forbear troubling Your Lordship with particular com-
ments upon the suggestions made by the Council, but there are
one or two points on which I will take the liberty of remarking.
Your Lordship's only act in connexion with the University
72 THF, LORD BISHOP'S LETTER
having been one of great consideration and kindness, in inviting
the College Council to a free expression of their wishes and
opinions, it need not, I am satisfied, be apprehended that any
unfriendly construction can be placed upon their motives, in
stating their opinions unreservedly upon a point with which your
Lordship happens to be personally connected : I mean that pro-
vision in the Charter which makes the Governor of the Province
the Chancellor of the University.
This has proved, I am persuadsd. a very injudicious and unfor-
tunate arrangement, the effect of it has been to produce inevitably
a connexion between the University and the political feelings and
movements of the day which every one must have seen to be
most injurious, as indeed it could scarcely fail to be. This must
I am persuaded have been on many occasions embarrassing to
the Government, as it certainly has been most detrimental to
literature and science. If it had not been for the direct and
immediate control which the Lieutenant Governor of Upper
Canada had, in capacity of Chancellor, over all the proceedings
of the Corporation, so that he could at his pleasure prevent all
those powers from being exercised which the Royal Charter had
conferred, those impediments could not have been thrown in the
way which rendered the Charter for many years a dead letter ;
and not only withheld from hundreds of the youth of Upper
Canada advantages which to them have been lost for ever, but
had the effect of furnishing an argument (though a very unrea-
sonable one) for attacks upon the very existence of the Institu-
tution. It was ungenerously urged that the Charter was evi-
dently impracticable and useless, because in so many years no
use had been made of it, when nothing had in fact impeded the
Corporation from carrying the beneficial design of the Royal
Founder fully into effect, but the avowed determination of the
Lieutenant Governor, that not a step for that purpose should be
taken, till all questions about the Charter were satisfactorily
settled ; in other words till the well-informed and ill-informed,
the reasonable and unreasonable, should all cease to complain
either of their own accord or at the bidding of others ; and until
sects and parties, that agreed in nothing else, should agree in their
ideas of an University.
As the Charter directs, that no bye-law or regiilation of any
kind can be passed, which is not projxjsed by the Chancellor, it
was utterly im|>ossible to move a step towards the organization of
the College so long as the Chancellor declined to act.
I am not, my Lord, acknowledging that the Chancellor could
warrantably make that use of the authority which the Charter
gave him. I am only relating the fact, that the Corporation was
Un is disabled from exercising its legal powers, and enjoying its
legal rights, and it may with perfect truth be remarked, that if
I IK- Government of I'ppor Canada, could by a higher authority
TO EARL CATHCART. 73
have been restrained in the same manner, from performing its
functions whensoever a violent clamour was raised against it, it
must throughout the same period have been perfectly in abey-
ance, and it might as justly have been argued that because it had
been so long inactive it was clear that it was incapable of acting
efficiently.
The immediate connection of the Corporation with the Civil
Government has led to other inconveniences, which the Univer-
sity deeply feels, and which could not have happened if the
Chancellor had stood in such a position as left him free to act
upon his own judgment, unembarrassed by considerations which
are elsewhere carefully excluded from the halls of learning, and
which can never be allowed to influence their arrangements
without being fatal to their best interests.
But the question, what should be done as regards religion and
religious instruction within the College, is that, which no doubt
\vill appear to your Lordship the most difficult to determine.
The College being liberally endowed, possessing a very eligible
site in the centre of the Province, and having objects in view
which cannot but recommend themselves to every virtuous and
enlightened mind, there can hardly be any serious difficulty in
settling upon a reasonable footing, whatever regards management
discipline and patronage.
Whether, what the Council have recommended, on the subject
of religious instruction and worship, shall meet with your Lord-
ship's approbation and support, I shall be very anxious to learn.
If the College had been allowed to go into operation under its
original Charter, then the state of things would have been this :
It would have been understood and known to be a seat of
learning in connection with the National Church, and in whicjj.
only the doctrines of that Church would be taught, and its form
of public worship maintained. To prevent division, and any
danger of those intrigues and struggles for ascendency which the
rivalry of opposing sects is apt to engender, the Council were
required to be of one Church, as the governing bodies in the
other Colleges in this province, which have been since chartered,
are expressly required to be ; but all would have been admissible
as teachers or scholars without any distinction of religious creed,
or the exaction of any test, except in regard to the faculty of
Divinity, which exception was inevitable if it were intended that
any certain religious character was to be consistently maintained.
It is my firm belief that no great institution for educating the
youth of a country founded upon a less certain and definite prin-
ciple, as to its religious character and the nature of the doctrines
which it professes to inculcate, will ever be found to fulfil wor-
thily the great purposes for which it is designed in England,
Ireland and Scotland, so long as they leave undisturbed those
glorious and venerable institutions which, being established upon
74 THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER
wise and sacred principles, have been elevating the national
character for ages, they may venture to make the experiment of
erecting other Colleges in which religion shall have no part, and
which shall put forth, as their title to public confidence and
respect, an avowed disclaimer of any preference for any one
religious creed above any other that the imagination of man has
invented. It is plain that there are persons who, in opposition to
experience and to the general current of human feeling, are
willing to believe that such Colleges will produce as good fruits
as others, and will be as much honoured and respected. In the
United Kingdom, those who entertain such opinions can be
indulged with an opportunity of bringing their theory to the test
of trial without depriving others of such a system of instruction
for their children as they know to be safe and good, and without
compiling them to be content, in regard to the most interesting
concern of life, with a laxity of principles and a specious liberality
which they despise and abhor. But it is indeed a deplorable
thing to see persons willing to commit the whole provision that
exists in this noble province for academical education to the
chance of an experiment against which the wisdom of past ages
lifts up her voice, and which, when it has been tried in modern
times, has shewn by results that the principles which its advocates
are seeking to establish are rejected by the prevailing feeling and
opinions of mankind.
Unfortunately, however, the point has been conceded here to
this extent, that, by the Provincial Statute of 1837, these few
provisions which had been deemed indispensable for securing to
the College a known and decided religions character, were
abolished, leaving the Charter in this condition, that there is on
the one hand no prohibition against imparting religious instruction
in the College to any extent, or according to any form of Chris-
tian doctrine, while on the other hand, it is left discretionary
with the governing body of the College to provide for dispensing
religious instruction or not, as they may think proper ; at least for
anything that is said in the Charter as it now stands, they might
establish, as they have done, a Professorship of Divinity according
to the doctrines of the Church of England, and provide for confer-
ring degrees in Divinity on those who profess her faith ; or they
might have established a Professorship in Divinity according to
any or every other variety of Christian doctrine, or they might
have established none— with this exception, however, that if
there be any Professor in Divinity he must, like all other Pro-
fessors believe in the bible and in the doctrine of the Trinity.
This is the footing on which the Legislature was permitted to
place King's College by their Act of 7 William IV., chap. 16. 1
believe it was the first occurrence in the history of the British
Empire, in which a liberal legislature had been allowed to make
direct alterations by their statutes in the terms of a Royal
TO EARL CATHCART, 75
Charter, granted under the great seal of England, and founded
and endowed wholly by the Crown.
As the continual agitation which has been kept up ever since
was foreseen and foretold by those who reluctantly submitted to
what the Government seemed, unfortunately as I think, to
regard as a necessity, it may be inferred that the change, though
it was acquiesced in by them, was not approved of. And if those
who did approve of it were content to make the sacrifice in the
hope of buying peace, the measure has afforded another memo-
rable instance of the failure of such a policy, for the statute has
had only the effect of placing the University upon ground where
it was more exposed to direct attempts to alter and remodel the
whole Charter by Legislation, and such attempts have, to the pre-
sent hour, been r3newed without ceasing ; so that the efforts to
excite hostility to the Charter, and to make this feeling a kind of
political test throughout the province, were really never so strong
or so universal as they have been since the Legislature was
allowed to place the University on the very footing they desired.*
And it is remarkable, certainly, that no sooner had the distinctive
character of the University been destroyed, so that it no longer
had by its Charter any denned religious character, than the three
most numerous bodies of Christians not belonging to the National
Church solicited and obtained Charters for Colleges, which, by
the very terms of such Charters, are placed avowedly and strictly
under the government of members of those several denominations,
and in effect, indeed, under the direction of their members.
Such is the history of the past, as it regards the position of
religion in the University of King's College, and this is the result,
to the present moment, of the struggle to prevent the Crown from
establishing and supporting, from reserves wholly at its own dis-
posal, that kind of Institution in connection with the Established
Church which the other denominations referred to are endea-
vouring to establish in connexion with their own religious
bodies.
It may be said that the other Colleges alluded to are endowed
by the contributions of individuals — who may justly do as they
please from that circumstance — but two of the three have solicited
and received support from the Provincial revenues, and if the
funds employed were wholly of their own raising, the proof
would only be the stronger that they are sincere in the conviction
that the principle on which they have desired to regulate their
Colleges is the soundest and best.
Your Lordship, I trust, clearly understands the manner in
which the Council of King's College has acted, in regard to
religious instruction, upon their proceeding to organize the
University after the passing of the Provincial Statute 7 William
IV. That Statute having left it perfectly open to the governing
body of the College to take whatever course they might think
76 THE LORD BISHOP'S LETTER
proper upon this point, it became their duty to consider the sub-
ject carefully. They did not feel that they would be justified in
excluding the study of Divinity from King's College ; on the
contrary, they felt themselves bound to provide for adequate
instruction in that, as in other sciences, under the sincere convic-
tion that it is the most important of all. They have not attempted
to embrace in their system of religious instruction a diversity of
doctrines and creeds, for which they must of course have pro-
vided as many separate Professors, and as they could have given
no good reason for establishing a Divinity Professor in connection
with any other form of doctrine rather than with that of the
Church of England, they did that which the original Charter
evidently contemplated, and which the statute of 1837 in no
manner prohibited, in providing a Professor of Divinity of the
National Church. It did not appear to them that this course was
one which they need be studious to justify by arguments. If they
had so regarded it, they would not have failed to consider that no
^unprejudiced person could entertain a doubt that a much greater
proportion of the youth, who would resort to the College for edu-
cation, would be members of the Church of England than of any
other, more, probably than of all other denominations combined,
and that the three most numerous bodies among the latter had
already separate Colleges established by Charter which placed
them not merely under the direction of members of their respec-
tive religious communities, but, in effect, of their own Clergy, an
advantage which the members of the Church of England did not
now enjoy.
It is perfectly well known, however, that the Council has
carefully avoided doing more than afford, to those who may
desire it, the means of obtaining such religious knowledge as the
Professor of Divinity imparts, and the opportunity of attending
the public worship which is maintained in their chapel. No
constraint or influence is used, and those who are not members of
the Church of England are neither required to receive instruction
in her doctrines, nor to join in her worship.
If what has been done in the Council in this respect required
anything further to be offered in its vindication, it can only be
necessary to refer to the sentiments expressed in the despatch
addressed to Lord Goderich, which accompanies the Report of the
Council to Your Lordship, and to the recent despatch of Lord
Stanley to the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, on the
subject of King's College at Fredrickton.
The general tenor of these despatches, and especially of the
latter, affords, indeed, strong ground for the hope that the Pro-
vince will, after all, be saved from such a calamity as the passing
of any such measures as were proposed in the two last Sessions of
the Legislature would have inflicted upon it.
I have much need of Your Lordship's indulgence for the great
THE LAW OF 1850. 77
length of this communication, but the vast importance of the right
disposal of the College question to the future well-being of Upper
Canada, makes me anxious to put your Lordship in possession of
its nature, tendency and bearing, and I shall be happy, with Your
Lordship's kind permission, to furnish any further information
that may be in my power.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
Humble Servant,
JOHN TORONTO.
It might have been hoped, that as each of the two parties
had attempted to remodel King's College, and had signally
failed, it would have been left in future unmolested. But
this was not to be. The Conservatives made another
attempt in 1847, which though in some respects better,
because there are degrees of evil, was, nevertheless, liable
to the most serious objections ; but, having been introduced
late in the Session, it was allowed to drop, and soon after
its authors were driven from power, and the Reformers
again held the reins of Government
This party, not discouraged by their former failure, intro-
duced the measure suppressing King's College, which
became law on the 1st of January, 1850. It is by the same
hand as the bill of 1843, though not quite so unwieldy,
being reduced from 102 to 82 clauses. It is, nevertheless,
equally blighting in its provisions, and hostile to religion,
as will be seen from the Petitions annexed, (p) and remarks
on its principal provisions here subjoined.
In the preamble it is said that a College is sought to be
established for the advancement of learning, and upon
p. Appendix K., No. 1, and No. 2.
78 CHARACTER OF THE LAW 1850.
principles calculated to conciliate the confidence and insure
the support of all classes and denominations of Her
Majesty's subjects, and which, under the blessing of Divine
Providence, would encourage the pursuit of Literature,
Science and Art, and thereby tend to promote the best
interests, religious, moral and intellectual, of the people at
large. Now, it must be admitted that these are in them-
selves noble and important objects. But upon what prin-
ciples does the statute promise their attainment ? Could its
framer believe that confidence was to be conciliated, the
support of the people insured, and the blessing of Divine
Providence obtained, and the best interests, religious, moral,
and intellectual promoted, by a College whose constitution
ordains, in its twenty-ninth section, and repeated in the
sixty-fourth, " That no religious test or qualification what-
soever shall be required of, or appointed for, any person
admitted or matriculated," &c. ; " Nor shall religious
observances, according to the forms of any religious deno-
minations, be imposed upon the members or officers of the
said University, or any of them." To speak of the interests
of religion being promoted by an Institution from which
every reference to it is, by law, excluded, is an unworthy
mockery.
But on this point the people have already spoken. The
four great denominations, embracing almost two-thirds of
the population, have resolved to have no connexion with
such an Institution ; how far their example will be followed
by the smaller denominations has not yet been ascertained.
CHARACTER OF THE LAW 1850. 79
By the last census the population of Upper Canada was
found to be 721,000
The Church of England which cannot connect
itself with the proposed College, gives ... 171,751
The Church of Rome, do 123,707
The Wesleyan Methodists, do 90,363
The Kirk of Scotland, do 67,900
Those who will not profit by the University
of Toronto 453,721
Leaving to profit by this measure 267,279
But even this will, in all probability, be
found too much in favour of the Institution,
for the Scottish Free Church and Congrega-
tionalists disapprove of the principle of
excluding religion from education, in which
case they will soon have Colleges of their
own.
Scottish Free Church 64,729
Congregationalists 20,372
To be further deducted 85,101
Leaving to profit by the new College 182,178
But even from this must be deducted many of the smaller
denominations, who disregard Universities, and such know-
ledge as they impart. Hence the Statute establishing the
University of Toronto and destroying King's College,
legislates for one-fourth of the population ; and as one-half
of these will not use the privileges, the feelings and inte-
rests of the great majority of the inhabitants of Upper
Canada are sacrificed to a small and clamorous fraction.
The preamble next quotes a Despatch of Lord Goderich,
dated 8th of November, 1832, as the foundation of the
statute, and which contains, it alleges, an invitation from
His late Majesty King William the Fourth to consider in
what manner " the said University could be best constituted
for the general advantage of the whole society."
QO LORD GODERICH'S REPLIES.
Now, the Despatch thus referred to, was not written for
the purpose of calling the attention of the Colonial Legisla-
ture to King's College, or to legislate thereon, but is an
elaborate document on a very different subject, being an
answer to Mr. McKenzie's huge volume of grievances. It
consists of fifty-six wearisome paragraphs, and touches
incidentally on the University of King's College, which
constituted one of the grievances, in three different places.
Mr. McKenzie complained that the Provincial law of
1820 conferred on the University, when established, the
power of sending one representative to the Legislature, and
inferred that it would become a nomination borough, under
the special patronage of Church and State.
To this complaint Lord Goderich replies : —
" I should scarcely have anticipated that any man, and least
of all a man devoted to literary pursuits, should have denied the
propriety of giving a representative to the principal seat of
learning in the Province. It would be superfluous to expatiate
on the importance of institutions for the education of youth in
literature, science, and religion, especially in a newly settled
country, and I am well assured, that neither in the Council nor
Assembly, could a single gentleman be found who would not
gladly receive as a colleague, a person representing the collective
body of literary and scientific men in Upper Canada, and who
would not gladly support, by that distinguished honour, the
cause of sound learning."
In the following paragraph Lord Goderich adds : —
I do not here refer to an University constituted in the manner ,
proposed by the original Charter of Incorporation : so far from
any anxiety having been felt by the King's Government to
maintain that Charter against the wishes of the great majority of
the people, every possible measure has been taken to refer to their
representatives the decision of the question, in what form and on
what principle the College should be founded."
TO MR. McKENZIE. 81
After answering other complaints through twelve labo-
rious paragraphs, the subject of general education comes
up, on which Lord Goderich observes : —
" That there is not one thing connected with every part of his
extensive dominions which His Majesty has more at heart than
the general diffusion of sound knowledge, in the legitimate and
more enlarged sense of the term. This is not merely the first and
highest interest of society, but is essential to the right use and
peaceable enjoyment of every other civil and social privilege.
The Legislature of Upper Canada have -already been invited to
consider in what manner the University can be best constituted
for the general advantage of the whole society : and his Majesty
has studiously abstained from the exercise of his undoubted pre-
rogative of founding and endowing literary or religious corpora-
tions until he should obtain the advice of the representatives of
the people for his guidance in that respect."
These are all the passages in this extraordinary Despatch
which touch upon King's College, and they arise acci-
dentally from Lord Goderich's anxiety to answer the
voluminous complaints of Mr. McKenzie, which were
recklessly made against every institution and man of
character in the Province.
The Despatch, and the only one containing the invitation
alluded to, is dated the 2nd of November, 1831, but as it
strongly recommends " the permanent establishment in the
College, on a secure footing of a Professor of Divinity of the
Church of England," (q) the promoter of the Act could not,
with any decency, in the face of such royal recommendation,
enact, as he has done in the twelfth section or clause,
" That there shall be no faculty of Divinity in the said
University, nor shall there be any Professorship, Lecture-
ship, or Teachership of Divinity in the same."(r) He has,
q. Appendix H., p. 32. r. Appendix D., p. 17.
82 STATUTE 7 WM. IV. CHAP. 16.
therefore, recourse to the expedient of quoting a different
Despatch which only refers incidentally to King's College.
Another reason, equally disingenuous, for using the
wrong despatch is, that the invitation contained in Lord
Goderich's Despatch of the 2nd of November, 1831, was
already fully satisfied by the Provincial Legislature in
1837.(s)
In that year the statute of 7th William the Fourth, chap.
16, was passed, amending the Charter of King's College, in
which all the reasonable objections made against it, up to
that period, were fairly met, and in which the majority
never would have concurred had they not believed that it
was a final settlement of the question. Since then, no fresh
invitation has been addressed by the Crown to the Govern-
ment of the Colony, to interfere a second time with the
Charter of King's College.
So much for the truth and correctness of the preamble
of the University Act, 12th Victoria, chap. 82, by which
King's College is destroyed, (t)
Having thus deprived King's College of its Charter,
Religious Character, and Name, the Statute proceeds in the
32nd clause, to confiscate its endowment and to vest it in
the new Corporation, and this in defiance of the faith of the
Crown expressed in the words of three different Kings, and
with as much coolness as if there had been no such pledges,
no vested rights, no corporation, no moral turpitude, in a
proceeding which strikes at the security of all property in
*. Appendix C., page 16. t. Appendix I.
CHARACTER OF THE MEASURE. 83
the Colony. But it is quite superfluous to extend these
remarks to the many clauses of the Slatute 12 Victoria
chap. 82. We have elsewhere observed that the leading
features of the measure may be reduced to three : 1st. Con-
tempt for the wishes of the people, for almost two-thirds are
virtually excluded. 2nd. Bitter hostility to religion, and
especially the Church of England, for no man dare legally
repeat the Lord's Prayer within the halls of the University
of Toronto. 3rd. Disrespect to the expressed wishes of
three Sovereigns, and hence to everything tending to the
stability of the Crown. Only two points worthy of notice
remain. The Statute evinces a suspicious jealousy of all
Ministers, Ecclesiastics, and Teachers of Religion, and even
prohibits the Crown from selecting them to be members of
the Senate, so that in a short time not one Clergyman will
belong to the Institution, except it be one teacher from each
of such incorporated Collegiate institutions or Universities
in Upper Canada as shall, according to the requirement of
the 43rd clause, surrender the power of conferring degrees in
Arts. Now such surrender of powers conferred by Royal
authority is not probable, because the Colleges, even if
inclined to do so, upon what might be considered equitable
terms, are offered nothing by the Statute in return, but loss
of dignity. The connexion or incorporation merely consists
in the admission of one Representative from each of the
Theological Colleges, to a seat in the Senate. Now this
body is to consist of twenty-two or twenty-three Members,
and what influence could one solitary Representative pos-
sess for the benefit of his own institution ? Is it not evident
that the affiliated Colleges, thus thrown in the shade by the
colossal University of Toronto without religion or moral
training, would become helpless and unable to extend their
84 QUESTION OF THEOLOGICAL COLLEGES.
discipline to their own youths of early age, or possess the
means of enforcing it ? And were they to attempt to over-
come this difficulty, by employing a greater number of
Professors to take charge of their own students they would
still fail, and the customs and regulations of the secular and
larger Institution, as having the greater number of students,
would certainly prevail. Instead then of incurring an
expense by which they secure no equivalent, how much
more easy and beneficial to add to Queen's, Victoria, and
Cobourg Colleges, &c., two or three Professors in Arts, to
enable them to give their respective youths a complete
education, scientific and religious? To acquire the pure
knowledge and practice of religion, it must enter into all
their actions and cannot be separated from their daily life,
because the chief end of our being is to prepare for the
world to come. The very presence of these various Theo-
logical Colleges would have a most injurious effect : be-
cause the University of Toronto, which proscribes religion,
and treats all its forms as matters of indifference, will have
no disposition to enforce upon those Pupils, who belong not
to these affiliated Colleges, any reverence for holy things.
Hence from the very first we shall a corps of infidels
growing up, and like the wicked, eager to make proselytes,
stirring up strife among the youth attached to the dif-
ferent Colleges, and holding up the Colleges themselves as
a proof that there is no difference as to the comparative
goodness between them ; that the opposite opinions that they
hold, shew that truth and falsehood are the same ; that even
the faith once delivered to the saints is of no value ; that the
most pernicious heresy ever broached is harmless ; and that
every man has a right to interpret the Scriptures as he
pleases.
EVILS OF THE SYSTEM. 85
Such a collection of Theological Colleges would become
of jtself a sort of standing protest against Gospel truth, and
be one of the most successful methods ever imagined of
holding it up to the contempt and ridicule of flagititious
men. But, if we take the matter still more closely, we
shall find that the discipline and order of the affiliated
Colleges could never be made to harmonize with those of
the University of Toronto, and more especially with that
belonging to the Church of England.
As a Theological College, its inmates must religiously
observe all the fasts and festivals of the Church, the solem-
nity of Lent, the regular daily services of Passion Week and
Whitsun Week, with all of which the University would
fail to sympathize or provide for, by any change of discipline
or attendance. So that, through the whole year, violence
would be done, even by the common proceedings of the
University, to our religious feelings, and our most august
forms of worship. It should also be remembered that such
affiliated Colleges are not essential parts of the University,
but merely acccidental appendages, without which, desti-
tute as they are of all power and authority, the University
can proceed as well as with them. Again, the Degrees in
Divinity would seem without value, inasmuch as they
would be conferred by a petty College of two or three per-
sons, and be felt insignificant when compared to the degrees
in Arts conferred by the University itself. Besides, every
sect may have its College, or apology for a College, and
thus a public sanction be given to all opinions, however
mischievous and contradictory, and we should have Soci-
man, Mormonite, and Swedenburgean Doctors in Divinity,
a result which would bring all such degrees into utter con-
8(5 EVILS OF THE SYSTEM.
tempt. In fine, the very fact of the Church affiliating its
College with such a University would indicate a tacit
consent to its irreligious principles ; hence nothing is left
to the honest and sincere of all Christian denominations but
to fly from the unclean thing.
How is it in the great public schools in England, such as
Eton, Harrow, Winchester, and Rugby — all of which are
identical as regards habits of life, studies, and intellectual
characteristics, and still more especially as to personal
decorum, Christian morality, and the pious observances
enjoined by the Holy Scriptures ? Look at the stirring ser-
mons of the late Dr. Arnold of Rugby, and more recently,
those of Dr. Moberly the present Head Master of Win-
chester, and of Dr. Vaughan of Harrow, and reflect on the
labours and anxiety of these eminent men, not only to
advance their pupils in scholastic attainments, but above
all to make them feel, from their first entrance into life, that
they are born for eternity. From this moral training they
proceed to the University, where they are placed under the
same religious supervision and instruction till they take
their degrees and commence their different professions.
Now if we reflect that the world, its dangers, its seductions,
its menaces and troubles must be known and met, and con-
quered, is it not of the utmost consequence that our youth
should be prepared for this fiery trial by a training in hea-
venward lessons of faith, diligence, and obedience, and
thus awaking the soul by an habitual sense of God's
authority and consciousness of His presence to hopes which
are never to be satisfied but in the fruition of the life to
come ?
THE BISHOP ISSUES A PASTORAL LETTER, gT
Instead of this, the University of Toronto offers us that
spurious counterfeit which has sought in every age to usurp
the name of Education, while flatly opposed to its true
object. It is secular education ; a training for this world
alone, without caring for the next. It is made up of half
truths perverted into falsehood ; of earthly facts divorced
from moral truth and religious obedience ; and of a pan-
dering to a corrupt appetite for unseasonable knowledge.
w By these characters was it marked when it began in
Paradise, and these serpent features it retains — c Your eyes
shall be opened.' There was partial truth in the words, but
the truth served only to gild the delusion, and do the work
of falsehood, ' Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and
evil.' Here was intellectual progress set at variance with
the will and command of God. And what were the natural
effects ? Misery and death. Such was secular education
at its birth, and such in its main features does it still con^
tinue. May we never accept these apples of Sodom ill
exchange for the living truth of God's holy word." (u)
Finding that every effort to arrest the destruction of
King's College had proved unavailing, and knowing that it
was impossible for the Church to recognize the institution
founded on its ruin, as the only resource left to him in
furtherance of the great object of his life, the* Lord Bishop
addessed the following pastoral to the clergy and laity of
the diocese, in which there is a forcible appeal, urging
them to a vigorous exertion in founding, by voluntary
means, such an establishment as would answer the demand
M. Church of England Quarterly Review for July, 1850, page 3.
M
88 THE LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL.
for sound religious education in every department of
learning, invested with the high character of university
honours, and combined with wholesome collegiate dis-
cipline : —
To the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Toronto:
My dear Brethren,
On the 1st day of January, 1850, the destruction of King's
College as a Christian Institution was accomplished. For on that
day the Act establishing the University of Toronto, by which it
was suppressed, came into force.
There was, to the last, some lingering hope that a measure so
pernicious would have been arrested.
It was known that inquiries had been made concerning it by
statesmen of high consideration, and that it had not been formally
sanctioned by the Imperial Government late in October. But no
effectual impediment has yet intervened ; and for a time, at
least, the experiment of a University from which the worship of
God is excluded, is to be tried in Upper Canada, — I say, for a
time, because it is scarcely credible that such an institution can
be long suffered in a Christian country, or if, unhappily, suffered,
that it can prosper.
Deprived of her University, what is the Church to do ? She
has now no seminary at which to give a liberal education to her
youth. What is enjoyed by all the other large denominations iu
the Province is denied to her.
Is she to sit down contented with her theological school at
Cobourg, and leave her children to perish for lack of spiritual
knowledge 1 Or is she to extend its provisions, and form it into a
university capable of imparting a full course of liberal instruction,
carefully founded on a religious basis, as has been the case in all
seminaries of learning among Christian nations since the ascen-
sion of our Lord ? Happily the solution of this question offers no
difficulty. It. is the bounden duty of the Church, and of every
one of her baptized children, as they value the gifts conferred
upon them in that holy sacrament, to come forward at this crisis,
in the name of God their Saviour, to stay the plague which
this, as it has done other lands, with darkness and guilt, and to
honour His holy name. Here the faithful Christian cannot halt
between two opinions : the whole revelation of God tells him
that religion ought to form the sum and substance of education,
and that whatever other branches of knowledge may be intro-
duced, 1hey must be made subservient to the one thing needful,
and sanctified by its purifying influence.
THE LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL. 89
The sacrifices and offerings of Cain and Abel shew that they
had been instructed by their parents in religion, and to worship
God in the most acceptable manner. Abraham taught his
children the way of the Lord, and to keep his commandments,
and the fruits in due time followed. Isaac, at even-tide, sought
the solitude of the fields to pray. The servant of the patriarch
began his journey with holy supplication, and acknowledged his
success with thanksgiving and prayer.
Under the law, the Jews were commanded, in the most solemn
manner, to instruct their children in the law of the LORD, that it
might be continually in their mouth, — " Hear, O LORD, the Lord
our God is one LORD ; and thou shalt love the LORD thy God
with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
might. These words shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt
teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk
of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest
by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest
up." .
Under the Gosp'el, parents are commanded to bring up their
children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD ; for it is
only in this way that we can learn to know God and Jesus
Christ, whom to know is life eternal. Moreover, we are called
upon to search the Scriptures, and to be able to give an account
of our faith, and a reason for the hope that is us. With what
pains does St. Luke instruct Theophilus, not only writing a
Gospel, but the Acts of the Apostles, for his special benefit and
instruction.
Timothy, as St. Paul testifies, knew the Scriptures from a
child^ The holy apostle was scrupulously aware, that, in
training a soul to immortality, every step must be consecrated by
prayer for that blessing, without which even St. Paul's labour
must be utterly vain. Hence a seat of learning devoid of, or
hostile to, our common Christianity, must forfeit all title to con-
fidence, and become the worst of all places of mental training for
the children of a Christian people. " Science and literature,"
said the late Dr. Arnold, " will not do for a man's main business ;
they must be used in subordination to a clearly perceived
Christian end, and looked upon of most subordinate value. In fact
the house is spiritually empty so long as the pearl of great price
is not there, although it may be hung with all the decorations of
earthly knowledge."
It is surely the duty, as well as the privilege, of every Church-
man in the diocese, to assist, as far as he is able, in supplying
the want which the Church now feels in the destruction of her
University, and which, if not supplied, will in a short time arrest
the happy progress she is making through all parts of the country.
Let not, then, the friends and members of the Church look for
rest till proper means are found for the religious education of her
90 THE LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL.
children. We have fallen, indeed, on evil times, and the storm
has overtaken us, aggravated by the painful reflection that we
have contributed largely, by our want of unity and consistency
to bring it on ourselves ; but we must not be discouraged, — for
though the waters threaten to overwhelm us, we are still the
children of hope. Never, perhaps, in the history of the Church,
did a single case more completely prove the influence of party
spirit in corrupting the heart, and warping and entangling the
judgment, till it had acquired a moral obliquity, incapable of
distinguishing right from wrong, truth from falsehood, than the
destruction of King's College. It was succeeding with a degree
of success far beyond the most sanguine expectations. In the
short time of its existence, the degrees conferred were seventy-
five, — the number of students, including occasional, nearly three
hundred. The highest honours have been attained by Presby-
terians, Congregationalists, etc., as well as by members of the
Church. There were not twenty persons capable of appreciating
the blessings which it was conferring on the Province who were
not friendly to its continuance — a vast majority of the population
were and are hostile to the principle of separating religion from
education ; and yet, because a small but turbulent minority
declared against it, a weak ministry has been found to decree its
suppression, and the establishment of an institution in which no
Christian can confide. .
This measure is so wicked and inconsistent, that sooner or later
a serious reaction will take place, Its three leading features —
contempt for the people, enmity to religion, and disloyalty to
their Sovereign — are each of them offensive to large and
influential parties. The sentiments of the people are set at
nought, to gratify the few who neither value or regard schools
of learning. Religion is suppressed, and ecclesiastics proscribed,
to please the enemies of property and order. And the very name
of" King's College " is abolished, for fear that some attachment
to the Sovereign might, in the generous minds of youth, be
associated with a lloyal foundation.
Such an abominable proceeding is, however, likely to be
attended with something of a compensatory character. For, as
God, by His over-ruling providence, brings good out of evil, so
the Church — hitherto quiet, peaceable, and confiding — begins to
perceive that there must be limits to her forbearance ; and
although she can never employ turbulence or selfish agitation
even in defence of her just rights and privileges, she may with
safety follow the example of the great apostles in appealing to
Caesar, and of making use of all the legal and constitutional
means in her power to ward off evil, and secure for herself some-
thing of common justice.
"What makes this act of unscrupulous injustice the harder to
be borne is the conviction, which I think we must all feel, that
THE LORD BISHOPS PASTORAL. 9J
if any one of the religious denominations in this Province, dissent-
ing from the Church of England, had received from their
Sovereign a royal charter, founding an university in connexion
with their faith, and had received at the same time the free gift
of an endowment for its support, any attempt by the Colonial
Legislature to abrogate their charter, and to wrest from them
the endowment conferred by their Sovereign, would have been
promptly discountenanced by the executive government, and
firmly resisted, as being unreasonable and unjust. If any had
been found to make such an attempt (which assuredly the
Church of England would not have done), they would have
been told at once, that whatever opinions they might have formed
of the policy or impolicy of the measure, the grant could not be
respected, and the faith of the Sovereign maintained. And I
am sure, my brethren, that neither you or I would have regretted
to see those principles upheld by which alone either nations or
individuals can expect long to flourish. We should have
remarked, too, in such a case as I have supposed, another morti-
fying difference : the members of any other religious denomina-
tion whose rights had been unjustly attacked, as ours were,
would not have sought a vain popularity by abandoning them ;
they would have been found united as one man in their defence.
But alas ! the Church found the chief enemies of King's
College among her own professing adherents ; and under the
delusion of liberalism and expediency, the twin sisters of infidelity,
they betrayed the cause which they were bound by every sacred
duty and right feeling to protect.
We have lately seen the government conferring on the
Seminary of Montreal a property often times the value of King's
College. How is this 1 The*Roman Catholics demanded what
they believed to be their right, and the government immediately
yielded. Is it not then in the power of the Church to command
the like result ? Yes ; when all her members breathe her spirit
as one man : and not till then. This spirit will induce them to
select none to reprerent them in the Legislative Assembly but
" able men, such as fear God ; men 'of truth, hating covetousness :"
and then the Church and every denomination will have their
rights, and oppression will cease from the land.
In the meantime, Ij propose that the Church of this Diocese,
consisting of the clergy and laity, should approach our beloved
Sovereign the Queen, and the Imperial Parliament, by respectful
petitions for such redress in the restoration of her University, or
in such other way to supply the same, as may be deemed reason-
able and meet.
Should we fail in obtaining the favourable admission and
acquittance of our just claims, we must in that case appeal to
our fellow-Churchmen in Great Britain and Ireland ; and we
believe that there are many pious individuals who will come
92 THE LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL.
forward with a liberality of which the last three centuries have
given so many examples, to assist us in restoring the means of
which we have been deprived, for the religious instruction of our
youth, and their advancement in all those branches of science
and literature which enter into a liberal education. Nor am I
without strong hope, that, should there be obstacles to the disal-
lowance of the Act, we shall nevertheless find among the
contributors to our Church University some of the present
Ministry ; for there is reason to believe that few among them
approve of a measure so reckless, and fewer still who do not
regret that it has been adopted. Indeed, no Statute passed since
the Union of the Provinces has lowered the character of the
Canadian Legislature so much as that which destroys King's
College. Churchmen consider it disgraceful to the country, and
the indifferent pronounce it a political blunder. For as one of
my most able and reverend correspondents observes, — " The Act
destroying King's College is not merely a wrong, but a mockery ;
inasmuch as it professes to promote the best interests, — religious,
moral, and intellectual, — of the people, while it yet precludes the
adoption, in the University it establishes, of any ordinance
whatever, in respect to religion, and even silences, by the
authority of law, the public worship which up to this day had
been solemnized in the Institution."
But before we can expect success in these proceedings, it is
reasonable to prove that we are ourselves in earnest by our own
exertions. Besides, therefore, signing the petitions to the Queen
and the two Houses of Parliament, it is hoped that the members
of the Church will subscribe liberally, in money and gifts of land,
as God has prospered them ; and a better investment for time and
eternity it is impossible to conceive.
In this way, a sufficient endowment may, without any great
difficulty be effected ; or at all events, so good a commencement
as to encourage friendly Church members at home to incraase
their subscriptions.
It is true this could have been done with much greater facility
a few years ago-, when lands in the Colony were cheap ; but who
could have anticipated such a result as the destruction of a Royal
Charter, and confiscation of its endowment, without any just or
legal cause ? or who could have imagined it necessary or becoming
to stand between the bounty of the Sovereign and her people?
But, even yet, a sufficient endowment in land may with Active
exertion be secured.
There are, it is believed, about four hundred organized town-
ships in the diocese ; and were only one lot of two hundred acres
to be contributed as an average in each township, it would form
an endowment of eighty thousand acres ; and this, by good
management, with private contributions in .money, and the
assistance of the two venerable societies, would become sufficient
THF LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL. 93
to enable us in a very short time to begin operations, and gradually
as the property leased, to extend the University, as has been done
in like cases in Europe and America.
Or, taking it otherwise : There are, I presume, about two
hundred thousand adherents of the Church in Upper Canada, or
forty thousand families. Now, were each family to contribute
two pounds, or two acres of good land, a very handsome endow-
ment would be the result.
But as there may be many poor, and some to whom God has
not given generosity of heart, let us take one-fourth, or only ten
thousand families, and claim from each, for the love of God, six
pounds in money, or ten acres of good land, as may be more
convenient, and the University will be established. The difficulty,
therefore, in the way of endowing a Church University, is not
so great as those who have not considered the subject may
suppose ; and although we may not obtain the subscriptions in
land, or in money, of ten or even of five thousand at once, yet
we shall with God's blessing obtain more in time ; and as the
Institution we contemplate is not for a short period, but for
centuries, we can afford time, and be content to advance to
maturity by degrees. But why should we not hope that the
Church, among her two hundred thousand, will produce one
thousand noble souls, ready to come forward with at least one
hundred acres each, and in a moment complete the endowment I
In regard to a solid commencement, we are not left to
conjecture. The spirit of the Church has already begun to move.
Eight thousand pounds will be secured to the University before
this meets the public eye ; and I have some reason to believe
that an equal amount is already set apart in England. Moreover,
we shall have JE1200 per annum from the Venerable Society for
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, till it can be relieved
by the proceeds of our own endowment, and we shall have our
Theological library restored.
Hence it may be seen that we are commencing no Utopian
scheme ; and that a very moderate exertion on the part of the
true sons of the Church will place us in a commanding position
of usefulness.
The Church ought to do nothing by halves. Her University
must comprise an entire system of education, based on religion.
Every branch of knowledge cherished at Oxford and Cambridge
must be carefully and substantially taught. She must also have
her Eton, or Grammar School to supply her with scholars : the
whole to be placed under the guidance of the Church, that her
religious instruction may have no uncertain sound. We desire
a University, which, fed by the heavenly stream of pure religion,
may cammunicate fuel to the lamp of genius, and enable it to
burn with a brighter and purer flame. Thus the Arts and
Sciences, with all that adds real embellishment to life, will be
94 THE LORD BISHOP'S PASTORAL.
studied with more perseverance and order for moral ends ; and
the faculties under such training, will become so pure and
unclouded, that perception will be infinitely more vivid, and rise
to for greater elevation ; and all will be bound together by that
pure principle of love which the Scriptures tell us is the beginning
and end of our being. For this reason, we will have in our
University daily habitual worship, that we may possess a conscious
feeling of the Divine presence ; and this will produce such an
ardent aspiration after goodness as will consecrate every move-
ment. Hence the religious principles thus developed, will prove
of themselves a system of education infinitely superior to all
others. Nor are we disposed to overlook academical honours,
which have been ever held in the highest estimation- They
emanated from the Church, and to the Church the power of
conferring them of right belongs. Hence the power was trans-
ferred at the Reformation to the Sovereign, because the temporal
head of the Church, and the fountain of honour within her
dominions. In due time, therefore, we shall solicit a Royal
Charter, that our degrees may be acknowledged in all parts of
the world, and not be like those which the new Institution may
attempt to confer, which will not . only be corrupted by passing
through an irreligious channel, but be otherwise worthless, being
confined to the colony ; for the 12 Victoria, cap. 82, is merely a
Provincial Statute) and carries no weight nor authority beyond
the Province.
The Bishop or Bishops of the diocese (for it will soon be
divided) will be the visitors, that each new diocese may have
tin equal interest in the Institution ; for established on the
extensive foundation which we contemplate, it will be amply
sufficient for the whole of Upper Canada.
The site will perhaps be decided upon by the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, where it may be
most central and convenient ; because for a time it will have in
tt great measure to be supported by that venerable body.
But the site may also greatly depend on the magnitude of the
tjontf ibutions and donations which any particular locality may
be disposed to furnish.
That nothing may be wanting on my part, it is my intention
to proceed to England, should the encouragement I receive be
«uch as I have reason to expect, and urge the prayer of our
fnjtitions to the Queen and both Houses of Parliament. When,
the facts of the case are fully made known, the whole nation will
feel the same indignation at so flagrant an outrage on our holy
religion, and the honour and dignity of the Crown, as those
private friends do with whom I am already in communication on
the subject ; and the consequence I trust will be, that the good
and pious will hasten to help us. For in England the belief is
iiU but universal, that religion ought to be the ground- work ot
THE PETITION TO THE QUEEN. 95
education ; that its lessons should be interwoven with the whole
tissue of instruction ; and that its principles should direct the
whole system of our lives. Nor will the lessons of religion be
found less impressive by being interspersed with teaching of a
different kind. The prayer of our forefathers always was, and
the prayer of our universities still is, " that their learning might
be sound, and their education religious."
I shall have completed my seventy-second year before I can
reach London, of which more than fifty years have been spent
in Upper Canada ; and one of my chief objects, during all that
time, was to bring King's College into active operation ; and
now, after more than six years of increasing prosperity, to see it
destroyed by stolid ignorance and presumption, and the voice of
prayer and praise banished from its halls, is a calamity not easy
to bear.
I shall not rest satisfied till I have laboured to the utmost to
restore the College under a holier and more perfect form. The
result is with a higher power, and I may still be doomed to dis-
appointment ; but it is God's work, and I feel confident that it
will be restored, although I may not be the happy instrument
or live to behold it.
Having done all in my power, I shall acquiesce submissively
to the result, whatever it may be ; and I shall then, and not till
then, consider my mission in this behalf ended.
I remain, my dear brethren, your affectionate Diocesan,
JOHN TORONTO.
This appeal was most nobly responded to throughout
the Diocese. Meetings were held in the several parishes,
at which resolutions were passed in accordance with the
spirit of the Bishop's Pastoral ; and active measures were
adopted to obtain signatures to the petitions, which his
Lordship was to take, as well as organize a system for
raising an endowment fund. The following is the petition
to the Queen : —
To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty, —
We, your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, Members of the
United Church of England and Ireland in Upper Canada, humbly
beg leave to represent, that His late Majesty King George the
96 THE PETITION TO THE QUEEN.
Fourth, was graciously pleased, in the eighth year of his reign,
to establish arid incorporate by a Royal Charter, under the great
seal of England, a College within the Province of Upper Canada
for the education of youth (as the said Charter specially declared)
in the principles of the Christian religion, and for their instruction
in the various branches of science and literature.
That His Majesty was pleased to give to the said College the
name of King's- College, to confer upon it the style and privileges
of an University, with power to confer degrees in Divinity and
in othez Faculties, and to pass statutes and by-laws for the good
government and management of the said University, and
especially for the performance of Divine Service therein ; and
that His Majesty was further pleased to provide for the adequate
support of the said University, by directing a grant of land to bo
made for its endowment from the waste lands of the Crown in
Upper Canada.
We beg leave further to represent to- your Majesty, that
although by this Charter the University was to be open to all
without exacting any religious test from either Professors or
Scholars, except as regarded the Faculty of Divinity, yet it was
so far in connection with the National Church, that the members
of the College Council were required to be members of that
Church, and subscribe to her articles, and so were the Professors
of Divinity and all Students who should take degrees in Divinity.
That some discontent having been excited in, the Province,, on
account of these provisions, it was thought fit by his late Majesty
King William the Fourth, to allow the Legislature of Upper,
Canada to pass an Act altering the terms of the Royal Charter
in these particulars, which connected the said University exclu-
sively with the Church of England, and especially abolishing all
religious tests or qualifications, except that it was required that
the members of the College Council and all the Professors to be
appointed, should make a declaration that they believed in the
authenticity and Divine inspiration of the Old and New Testa-
ment, and in the doctrine of the Trinity.
That under this altered Charter, King's College preserving its
name and the munificent endowment granted. by the Crown, was
still capable of being made a seat of learning, valuable for all
who can appreciate the blessing of sound religious instruction for
their children : because, although the security of tests was
removed, yet there was no prohibition against the establishment
and continuance of a Divinity Professorship of the Church of
England within the said University, and the regular celebration
of Divine Service; and his Majesty King' William the Fourth,
when he was pleased to assent to the modification of the Charter,
having especially required that that advantage should be secured
to the members of the National Church ; there was in fact a
Divinity Professorship of the Church of England, appointed upoa
THE PETITION TO THE QUEEN. 97
the organization of the College, during the administration of Sir
Charles Bagot, whose services were continued through the whole
period that the College was in successful operation, which it had
been from its commencement until the first day of January last,
on which day an Act of the Provincial Legislature, passed in its
last Session, came into force, repealing and annulling in effect,
the whole Royal Charter, by which King's College was estab-
lished.
We now humbly beg leave to represent to your Majesty, that
by this last Act the University, as established by Royal Charter,
tinder the great seal of England, has been virtually abolished,
its name being changed to the " University of Toronto," and its
property and funds directed to be applied to the support of an
Institution in which it is expressly provided by the law which
creates it, that there shall be no Faculty of Divinity, nor shall
there be any Professorship, Lectureship, or Teachership of Divinity
in the same ; that there shall be no religious test or qualification
whatever, for any Scholar, Student, or Fellow, or for any person
appointed to any office or employment whatever, in the same,
nor shall any religious observances, according to the forms of
any particular religious denomination, be imposed upon the
members or officers of the said University, or any of them ; that
the University shall have no power to confer any degree in
Divinity ; and that no person sliall be appointed by the Crown
to any seat in the Senate, who shall be a minister, ecclesiastic or
teacher, according to any form or profession of religious faith or
worship whatsoever.
The foundation which had been so kindly and liberally made,
by our Sovereign, for the sound, moral, and religious education
of our youth, having been in this manner destroyed, your Majesty's
petitioners feel that it has now become their duty to make the
most strenuous efforts for founding an University or College, in
which instruction in the sciences may be combined with a sound
religious education ; and in which the truths of Christianity, as
they are held by their Church can be taught without jealousy or
reserve. We do not desire to see tests imposed of such a nature
as could create uneasiness among the members of the Church,
and would consider the great object of religious peace and unity
within the College, sufficiently secured by requiring from all who
are to have any share in its government, or any duties as Pro-
fessors, Teachers or Officers, to be performed within it, the
declaration that they are sincere and faithful members of the
United Church of England and Ireland, conforming to her
liturgy ; submitting to her discipline ; and believing in her
doctrines ; and pledging themselves that their conduct shall
be always in accordance with that declaration.
We entreat that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to
grant your Royal Charter for the Incorporation of an University,
98 THE PETITION TO THE QUEEN.
to be established on this clear and unequivocal principle, and to
be supported by means which the members of the Church will
contribute from their own resources.
The privilege which we ask has been already conceded to the
members of the Church of Scotland in Upper Canada, and will
not, as we humbly hope, be withheld from the members of the
Church of England, composing as they do, the most numerous
denomination of Christians in Upper Canada, and being behind
none in devotion to your Majesty's royal person and government,
in obedience to the laws, and in the proofs of a just and tolerant
spirit towards all classes of their fellow-subjects.
And your Majesty's dutiful and loyal petitioners will ever pray.
(Signed,)
JOHN TORONTO ; GEORGE O'KiLL STEWART, D.D., Archdeacon
of Kingston ; ALEXANDER NEALE BETHUNE, Archdeacon of York ;
H. J. GRASETT, M.A., Cantab ; STEPHEN LETT, LL.D., Clerk ;
J. G. D. McKENziE, B.A., Clerk ; ARTHUR PALMER, B.A., Clerk ;
J. GAMBLE GEDDES, B.A., Clerk ; EDMUND BALDWIN, M.A.,
Clerk ; RICHARD MITCHELE, M.A., Clerk ; J. C. P. ESTEN ;
ROBERT S. JAMESON ; EDWARD G. O'BRIEN ; W. B. ROBINSON ;
THOMAS D. HARRIS ; L. MOFFATT ; J. B. ROBINSON, C. J. of
Upper Canada; J. B. MACAULAY, C.J.C.P. ; WM. H. DRAPER,
J.Q.B. U. Canada ; ALEXANDER BURNSIDE ; ENOCH TURNER ;
WILLIAM NATOWD, LL.D. ; Lucius O'BRIEN, M.D., Professor
Med. Jurisprudence, Toronto University ; GEORGE CROOKSHANK ;
JOHN DUGGAN ; JOHN B. ROBINSON ; M. BETLEY ; J. W. BRENT ;
W. STEWART DARLING, Clerk ; JAMES GORDON 5 J. BEAVEN ;
THOMAS CHAMPION.
Toronto, Upper Canada, 9th April, 1850.
The petitions of which his lordship was the bearer were
signed by 11,731 persons, a vast proportion of whom were
heads of families (v).
Previous to his departure for England the several congre-
gations of the city presented addresses to his Lordship in
reference to his mission. That of the vestry and members
of St. James's Church, which was presented by the parties
whose signatures it bears in accordance with a resolution
v. Appendix.
ADDRESS OF ST. JAMES* VESTRY. 99
of the Vestry and his Lordships reply thereto, are given
below : all the others were couched in terms breathing the
same affectionate farewell and hopeful encouragement :
TO THE HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVD. THE LORD BISHOP OF TORONTO.
MY LORD, — The Members of the Vestry of St. James's Church,
Toronto, being assembled on the eve of your Lordship's intended
departure for England, take occasion in bidding you for a season
a respectful and affectionate farewell, to express their deep sense
of the great benefits conferred upon the Congregation of St.
James's, by your Lordship's zealous and persevering efforts to
promote their spiritual and temporal welfare, during the many
years you have been their Rector.
They have witnessed with feelings of sincere admiration and
respect, the same benevolence and energy of character, constantly
displayed in a wider field since your Lordships elevation to the
See ; and they perceive that these invaluable qualities have lost
nothing of their force, when they see your Lordship at great
personal sacrifice, proceeding to England for the purpose of
advancing, by your disinterested exertions, the grand object of
procuring the foundation in Upper Canada of a University, in
connection with the United Church of England and Ireland.
Relying with confidence on the kind co-operation of our fellow-
subjects in the United Kingdom in so good a work, we look
forward with hope to the success of the Mission which your
Lordship has entered upon in so noble a spirit, and we beg to
assure your Lordship of our earnest prayers, that you may be
spared to return in health to your Diocese, and may live to wit-
ness the happy accomplishment of the object towards which a
great portion of your Lordship's valuable labours have been
unceasingly directed.
(Signed)
J. B. ROBINSON, J. B. MACAULAY,
H. J. BOULTON, FREDERICK WIDDER.
Toronto, April 9th, 1850.
REPLY.
The kind manifestation of your affection, my dear friends,
which you confer upon me in this Address, derives peculiar
interest from its reference to my past labours among you, for
nearly half a century, as Rector of this large Parish and Bishop
of the Diocese. 1 may with truth say, that a happier reciproca-
100 THE LORD BISHOP'S REPLY.
tion of kind feeling and good offices, during so long a period, has
seldom taken place between a pastor and his flock, and a Bishop
and his people.
In regard to the Mission which takes me to England, so late
in life, I am full of hope. The Church of the Diocese has
responded most nobly to my appeal ; and I feel persuaded that
thousands and tens of thousands of warm hearts in the United
Kingdom will evince the most generous sympathy in our cause,
when the wrongs we have suffered are placed before them.
I bless God that the members of the Church in Upper Canada,
true to the faith of their fathers, have so unanimously recorded
their opinion and belief, that to separate religion from education
is to betray the Truth and dishonour the Saviour. Such an
avowal and so universally expressed, will not only raise the
character of my Diocese throughout the Christian world, but'will
become a claim on the generous benevolence of our fellow-
subjects, which is all but irresistable.
My blessing I leave with you ; and thank you for your earnest
prayers, and entreat for their continuance. Without prayer to
God, we can expect no prosperous issue to our labours ; but with
His help we can do all things.
{Signed)
JOHN TORONTO.
On Wednesday, the 10th of April, 1850, his Lordship
look his departure for Great Britain, on his important
mission in the cause of Christian education.
So early as nine o'clock a considerable number of the
most respectable citizens assembled on the wharf at which
the steamboat for Rochester lay, a report having prevailed
that his lordship was to leave at that hour. The America,
however, waiting for the arrival of the Eclipse from Hamilton,
did not start till near twelve o'clock.
Though fine, the morning was rather cold ; but, notwith-
standing, a large concourse of what, without exaggeration,
we may term the elitd of Toronto and its vicinity, remained
to bid adieu to one so deservedly dear to them.
THE BISHOP'S DEPARTURE. 10 f
His lordship, who looked remarkably well, and in excel
lent spirits, arrived at the wharf about eleven o'clock, and
there held an extempore levee, at which were present
Churchmen of all ranks,: — from the Chief-Justice Robinson
down to the toil-bronzed artizan, — who thronged around
their good Bishop, to express their heartfelt wishes that he
might be favoured with a propitious voyage and a safe return
to the scene of his multiform and onerous duties.
On the sailing of the America his lordship was greeted
with three cheers, the energy and enthusiasm of which
demonstrated equally the hold which he had upon the
affections of the community, and the strong sense which
they entertained of the righteousness of the cause he was-
about to plead in the mother country. Altogether, the scene
was most gratifying ; arid the Bishop appeared sensibly
affected by the tokens of regard which accompanied his
departure^
At an early period after the publication of the Bishop's
Pastoral, the Vestries, at their annual meetings, passed
resolutions in answer to that document. The terms of these
resolutions,, as well as the character of the addresses by
which they were moved and supported, proved how com-
pletely the sympathy of churchmen was with the Bishopr
and how zealously they were prepared to second hi»
exertions in the establishment of the proposed University.
As an example of the feeling displayed on these occasions*
the following extract from a speech delivered by the Hon.,
John Hillyard Cameron, at the meeting of St. George's
Vestry is given. Speaking of the Bishop's Pastoral he
said I —
102 MR. CAMERON'S SPEECH.
"He ielt that the language used in that document would be
admitted by all who read it to be literally and strictly applicable
— that it was indeed a feeling and a powerful appeal. It was,
unhappily, not more powerful than the circumstances to which
it referred were deplorable and unprecedented. Not contented
with depriving the Church of England of her interest in a Royal
endowment, as if the gilt of a King were unworthy of the
respect accorded to that of any private citizen, her enemies had
consummated their injustice by taking away the very Charter
of her University also." Churchmen might, perhaps, had that
been left them, have felt less cause of complaint ; for there was
Christian piety and liberality enough in the body to furnish, if
needful, another endowment ; but it was hard that the result of
years of toil and wisdom should be swept away in a moment,
and the Church be reduced to the necessity of reconstructing
from the foundation all of which they had witnessed the growth,
and hoped, with God's blessing, to see the fruit also. " Down
with it ! — Down with it, even to the ground !" is the cry of those
who would see the Church abolished, that the restraints of reli-
gion might be abolished also ; of those who would see the altar
overthrown because of the glory that burns upon it, and the
temple destroyed because of the voice of righteousness, temper-
ance, and judgment to come, that is heard within its walls. And
who knows how soon, if present principles go unchecked, there
may be seen on this continent, as the Old World has seen,
Christianity trampled under foot — the " big ha' Bible" hauled in
derision at the tail of an ass — and the infidel priests of an infidel
generation tearing off the ecclesialtical garments, and announcing
their adherance to a religion of " liberty, equality, and morality ;"
and another Voltaire and another Marat, fit representatives of
atheism and murder, declaring the creed of the people to be, —
" Death is an eternal sleep ]" He felt that it was high time for
the true sons of the Church to put forth their strength, and to
show to their rulers that the rights of 200,000 people were not
to be trampled on with impunity. The University had been
liberalized, but that was not enough. The Clergy Reserves must
be attacked ; the Rectories denounced ; and all the rights of the
Church of England and her children in this colony held as things
of nought. What should be held sacred, and where would con-
fiscation stop, if neither Royal bounty nor Imperial sanction, in
the most authentic act of the Legislature, could confer a title
beyond the reach of assault 1 The Legislature had changed the
character of the University — the fiat had gone forth, and the
law must be obeyed ; but could not the Church of England build
and uphold a college of her own in Upper Canada, through the
piety and munificence of her children 1 If the Roman Catholic
and the Presbyterian and the Methodist had each a seat of
learning, could the Church of England fail to establish a
PROVISIONAL COUNCIL APPOINTED. 1Q3
University, which should extend the blessing of a sound religious
education to the remotest posterity, and out of the evil of crafty
and designing men create permanent and abiding good 1 Edu-
cation should never be separated from religion ; and yet the
whole system in Canada was founded upon that separation, as if
the thought of prayer and praise were never to weigh with the
aspirations for intellectual cultivation, and the deadening of
the heart to every Christian feeling and duty were the highest
object of legislation in a still professedly Christian land. It
had been said that the attention of Churchmen should first be
turned to the common schools — that there should the purifica-
tion be commenced ; but how was sxich a change to b3 effected
until the lawgivers of the Province were brought to acknowledge
that secular and religious instruction should go hand in hand 7 —
He thought that we were beginning in the proper place. Let a
University be established — let the youth of the Church be
educated there — and they will go forth to their various avocations
throughout the length and breadth of the land strong in faith,
and the belief of the purity of the doctrines of their Church ; and
through them the people will learn and appreciate the blessings
of religious education. It was but a small thing that each were
called upon to do ; but how much good would the aggregate effect,
and a feeling would be aroused in the Province that would awake
the hearts of those who had been slumbering for years, and
show to the Christians of every other denomination that the
members of the Church of England were no longer supine, but
with the aid of the divine power were determined to labour
unceasingly to obtain sound religious instruction for their children
and their children's children."
A Provisional Council was appointed at a general
meeting of the friends and supporters of the undertaking,
and active measures were adopted to secure the co-opera-
tion of Churchmen throughout the Province, by opening
subscription lists for the collection of an endowment fund.
A reference to the Appendix, in which is contained a list
of benefactors, will afford testimony to the prompt and
liberal response which has been made to these applications.
The meetings of the Council were held at stated periods,
and the progress of their exertions was duly reported to the
Bishop during his stay in England.
In the course of the summer of this year Drs. Hodder
o
104 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEDICAL FACULTY.
and Bovell projected and organized a School of Medicine ;
the advertisement of the course of instructiou to be pursued
in which was advertised under the title of the Ct Upper
Canada School of Medicine." With these were associated
Drs. Badgley, Hallowell, Bethune and Melville. On his
Lordship's return from his transatlantic journey, (v) a
deputation from this School waited upon him, and tendered
their services as the Medical Faculty of the projected
University, should his Lordship have contemplated ex-
tending the range of education to all the liberal arts and
sciences ; and viewing the difficulties necessarily attending
the early progress of such an undertaking, these services
were offered gratuitously until the revenues of the Univer-
sity should be in a condition to warrant the payment
of a competent remuneration. His Lordship cheerfully
and readily accepted this offer, and as the usual period
for the commencement of the Winter course of study had
already arrived, he sanctioned the naming of a day on
which the several teachers should begin the labours of
the first session of the Faculty, by delivering the cus-
tomary Introductory Lectures in public ; His Lordship
kindly promising that he would himself open the pro-
ceedings in a formal manner. Accordingly on the 7th of
November, as previously announced by advertisement, the
faculty met at the Hall of the Mechanics Institute, the
use of which had been very liberally granted for the
occasion, and at which the public and friends of the
University had been invited to attend. A most numerous
and influential meeting was assembled on the occasion. At
eleven o'clock, A.M., his Lordship took the chair. The
v. His Lordship arrived on the 4th of November, 1850.
THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 105
Rev. H. J. Grassett, M.A., said a selection of prayers from
the Morning Service, after which His Lordship thus ad
dressed the audience :
" He experienced much gratification on his return to the
Province, when a deputation called upon him to inform him
that several gentlemen of the Medical profession wished to esta-
blish a School of Medicine, to be attached to the future Church
University, the principles of which — when in operation — they
were disposed to adopt ; the leading principles of that Church
University being, that religion should form the basis of the whole
system of educatidu. being by far the most important part of
knowledge that man could attain, and that neither the advantage
of individuals nor the prosperity of the State could exist unless
guided by religious principles. This being the case, and con-
sidering that an efficient School of Medicine would be an
advantage to the country, he felt it his duty to attend on the
present occasion, and . to make a few observations, which, how-
ever must be few, not having had either time or opportunity to
make himself acquainted with the details ; but he would observe
one circumstance that established a coincidence between the
gentlemen now coming forward on the present occasion and the
King's College, London. He would now state to the meeting
what had happened in respect of the University College in
London. There had been previous complaints of the want of
more moral and religious care of the medical students of that
great city, that they were under no sort of discipline, exposed to
all sorts of temptations and misery—and in consequence it was
not to be wondered that many went wrong. This was more
conspicuous in the Medical School attached to that University,
and induced great numbers, as the evil was increasing rapidly,
to turn their thoughts to the remedy. With that, view, they
added to the course of instruction at King's College, a medical
department; and the result has been that King's College is now
equal, if not superior, to the University College in that brnnrli
of instruction, and this has not only produced a salutary change
on the students in the School of King's College, but on the
Hospital students also. It would be consoling to know that in'
England they continue to point to religion for their best example,
and even among dissenters they were fully alive to the great
importance of religious instruction as inseparable from education.
Jn all the countries in which religion was not the basis of in-
struction, the most melancholy results followed. They had sad
experience on the continent of its fruits — they need only look to
the events in France and Germany. Tn the (onner country, the
result was a revolution in 1789 and a^ain in 1848, and both
France and Germany are still in a sadly distracted state, and the
only way to save England from similar misfortunes would be
106 THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS.
never to depart from those precepts which God Himself enjoined,
that religion should be basis— the only ground of happiness, both
here and hereafter, and that we could only hope to prosper in
proportion to the prevalence of religion amongst the people.
Henceforward the principle of this, the beginning of the Church
University of Canada, would be that these gentlemen would see
to the necessity of religion as the basis ot instruction — that by it,
they would raise the minds of their pupils — shew their care of
their bodies, and lay the foundation for the welfare and hap-
piness of their souls. He would here briefly allude to his
reception in England. It was most gratifying from all quarters,
save in one solitary exception, that he was attacked in a paper
which he considered beneath his notice, and which, only in
compliance with the wishes of friends, he should not have
noticed, feeling that a life of fifty years — spent, he hoped, in the
faithful service of his Maker — was the best guarantee for the
purity of his motives and conduct, and he felt, if that were not
sufficient to establish it, it were vain to expect to do so by means
of a letter in a newspaper — for by that means a reputation could
never be restored. On his arrival in England, he had addressed
himself to all the Bishops, in order to ensure their aid to promote
his object, and from all he had received most encouraging replies
and experienced much kindness and sympathy. In fact, there
was but one opinion on the object of his journey, which was,
that it was one worthy the labours of a Christian Bishop. It
was a satisfaction to him to find that Sir Robert Peel, (now,
unfortunately, no more,) and others whom he had also seen,
were fully sensible of the great injustice and hardship of the
measure, which they said, could never have been countenanced
in England, and which had robbed them of the fruits of years of
toil and imposed their present labour upon them; but he felt
pleasure in now announcing that they would begin the building
in Spring, having obtained a sum which was considered suffi-
cient to justify their doing so. Indeed his success under all
circumstances was considered very gTatifying. It would be so
arranged that on the first of October next, the course of Instruc-
tion would be in full operation ; not, certainly, on a great scale,
but quite sufficient for a beginning. There would be three
branches of education then ready to be entered on. Theology,
Science and Classical Literature, as well as Medicine, this day
begun. He expected before October to have two gentlemen of
high attainments to take charge of the department of Science
and Classical Instruction — having made arrangements before his
departure to secure their services ; and, as business increased
they would be able to choose tutors, and assistants to take a
share in the drudgery of the labour ; for this purpose they would
hereafter be supplied with persons of character and solidity, and
every effort would be made to ensure the services of men to
PROCEEDINGS OF MEDICAL FACULTY. 107
promote that great object, by means of which, they hoped to
rescue the youth of this Province from the sad consequences
resulting from the want of religious instruction, which have
blighted" the youth in both Germany and France." (His Lord-
ship here sat down amid loud applause.)
At the conclusion of His Lordship's address, Dr.
Badgley commenced his Lecture on Medical Jurispru-
dence, and was followed by Dr. Hodder on Obstetrics,
Dr. Bethune on Anatomy, Dr. Hallowell on Materia
Medica, Dr. Melville on Surgery, and Dr. Bovell on
Medicine. These Lectures were adapted as much as the
respective subjects would permit, to a popular assemblage,
and were received with marked attention and interest.
At their termination His Lordship again addressed a few
remarks to his hearers, and terminated the proceedings by
the benediction.
The following remarks of the " Church " newspaper, in
reporting this meeting, afford evidence of the favourable
opinion entertained of this proceeding:
On Thursday last the Lecturers of the Medical Faculty of the
Church University delivered their introductory addresses, in the
Mechanics' Institute. Seldom we have witnessed in Toronto a
more intelligent and influential assemblage than that which
filled the Hall on this deeply interesting occasion.
Seldom, if ever, has our Province witnessed a more interesting
event than that which took place on that occasion. Generations
yet unborn will keep that day in remembrance, connected as it is
with the first operations of a University founded to counteract
the infidel spirit of the age, and to combine the blessings of
Science with the far more specious blessing of Christianity.
Regarding the ability displayed by the respective Lecturers,
but one opinion can be entertained. Brief and popular as the
addresses necessarily were, they furnished the most solid assur-
ance that the teachers of the newly-formed School are lully
competent for the effective discharge of the duties which they
have undertaken ; and that, under their fostering care, the
reputation of the Church University will be materially advanced
by its Faculty of Medicine.
103 TURNING THE FIRST SOD.
On the 23rd of January, 1851, the Provisional Council
passed a resolution to the effect that Mr. Kivas Tully and
Messrs. Cumberland and Ridout, should be applied to for
designs for the intended building, the estimated cost not to
exceed £8,000. After some deliberation Mr. Tully's design
was adopted by the Council, and tenders were advertized
for. On the 13th of March the tender of Messrs. Metcalfe,
Wilson and Forbes was accepted for the sum of £7845, and
and orders were given to commence the work forthwith.
On Monday the 17th of March the first sod was turned ;
this interesting initiative act was witnessed by many friends
to the cause, and was performed with solemn and impres-
sive ceremony. The day was somewhat lowering and
unpromising, but at noon the Lord Bishop accompanied by
the Council, Architect, and Contractors, surrounded by
those who had assembled on the ground, proceeded to the
gpot determined upon, when his Lordship thus addressed
them : —
•' Gentlemen, — We are met, according to appointment, to give
the commencement to this important undertaking, — and it is
our intention to confine ourselves strictly to breaking the ground,
as we shall soon, if it please God, find a more fitting occasion,
when we come to lay the foundation-stone, for some of those
forms and ceremonies, which ancient usage has prescribed and
hallowed for such occasions. It is, nevertheless, decent and
becoming that we should mark the first beginning in such a
manner as to convince our friends, that we are in earnest, and
to prove to the careless or the indifferent that our holy Church
possesses a vitality, which no earthly power can suppress.
" We may seem to those who look only to earthly and outward
appearances, as a feeble band ; and because we have little or no
eadowment, to be in danger of passing away like the summer
cloud : but it is a work which has for its object the glory of God,
and the extension of His kingdom ; and, therefore, if we prosecute
it in the right spirit, it will obtain the Divine blessing, and be
sure to prosper.
« We have indeed much already for which to be thankful :
the contributions of the members of the Church, both here and
at home, have enabled us to contract for a noble edifice, which
THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS. ]Q9
will, it is hoped, not only adorn, but become the channel of many
blessings to this city and Diocese. Even already, we stand, as
to worldly means and appliances, much in advance of the two
great Universities in England at their commencement, whose
scholars, many years after they begun the business of instruction,
were so poor, as Chaucer tells us, as to be compelled to carry
their own grist to the mill ; and from so small a beginning, what
are these Universities now 1 The most splendid establishments
for literature and science in the world, and justly called the
breasts of England ; and how have they risen to this eminence ?
— by untiring diligence and attention to the great objects for
which they were instituted, — the training up the rising generation
to virtue and piety, and imbuing their minds with the sacred
truths of Christianity in their purest form. The fruits are seen
in the generous offerings made from age to age by grateful pupils
to extend the power and usefulness of these Universities, till they
are now the wonder of the world.
" And why should not we look for like results ? why should
we despond in this, which may be termed our day of small
things 1 The offerings already received when our plan was
deemed by the cold and thoughtless as more than imaginary, will,
we trust, be increased ten-fold, now that there can be no longer
any doubt of our going forward , and not only this, but our own
alumni will soon arise with ther gifts and offerings. They will
gather round the sacred structure in which they have acquired
the most precious treasures of knowledge, sacred and profane ;
feeling the blessedness of those holy principles by which their
lives are directed, and their felicity here and hereafter secured,
they will provoke one another to heap benefits upon their Alma
Mater, and thus will her power of doing good be increased and
her blessed influence extended through the whole Diocese."
The Bishop then took the spade from the architect, and,
having filled it with the soil, said — " We begin this work
in the name of THE FATHER, and of THE SON, and of THE
HOLY GHOST." He then threw it into the barrow, which
was soon heaped over by the Council, each throwing into it
one or more spadesfull : the High Sheriff of the county
volunteering to be his Lordship's barrowman, wheeled it
to the place of deposit.
Three cheers were then given for the Queen, three for the
Bishop, and three for the prosperity of Trinity College.
After the cheering, which was very hearty had subsided,
the Bishop said :
1 10 TURNING THE FIRST SOD.
" Gentlemen, — Before we separate, let me beg of you to lift
up your hearts in silent prayer to Almighty God, that all who
are employed in erecting this building may be preserved from
accidents and dangers ; and that, when completed, it may ever
promote the glory of God, and the welfare of His people."
Thus ended this simple but yet very interesting preliminary
step towards the erection of Trinity College. The site which
has been selected is exceedingly beautiful; and the building,
when finished, will present a striking and pleasing object
to vessels approaching or leaving the harbour, which it will,
in a great measure, overlook.
On Wednesday April 30, the corner-stone of the Building
was laid with all the solemn observances usual on such
occasions, and the ceremonies were especially suitable to
this particular occasion. Early in the morning the weather
presented a threatening appearance ; but the day proved as
auspicious as could be well desired, and the sun shone
brightly and cheerily during the whole of the deeply inter-
esting and most solemn proceedings.
Shortly before one o'clock, the Bishop and a numerous
body of the Clergy, amounting to about one hundred,
together with the Medical Faculty, the College Council,
&c., met at the residence of the Hon. Henry Sherwood,
which is immediately opposite St. George's Church, and
had been most kindly placed at the disposal of the
Incumbent, to be used as a Vestry-room.
At one one o'clock, the procession marshalled by Major G.
T. Denison, proceeded to the Church in the following order :
The Sexton.
The Churchwardens.
The Beadle of the College (carrying the Mace).
The Solicitor. The Secretary.
The Architect. The Agent.
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON. HI
The Council, (two and two).
The Medical Faculty, (two and two).
Clergy in Gowns, (two and two).
Deacons, in surplices and hoods, (two and two).
Rural Deans, in surplices, hoods, and stoles, (two and two).
Organist. Conductor.
The Rev. M. Harris. The Rev. J. Grier.
« F. Evans. « B. Cronyn.
The Chanter, (Rev. E. Lindsey Elwood, M.A.)
Incumbent (Rev. Stephen Lett, LL.D.)
Ven. Archdeacon of Kingston. Ven. Archdeacon of York.
Domestic Chaplain and Secretary to the Lord Bishop.
Verger.
Chaplain. THE LORD BISHOP. Chaplain.
The arrangements in the Church were deserving of all
commendation. Notwithstanding that the sacred edifice
was filled with worshippers, not the slightest confusion
occurred ; and the several parties engaged in the business
of the day were enabled to find their appropriate seats
without difficulty or inconvenience.
Prayers were intoned by the Rev. E. L. Elwood, of
Goderich, in a most solemn manner, the responses being
given by the choir with corresponding effect. The services
were by Ebdon, the Anthem by the Rev. Dr. McCaul, and
the Psalms by Mr. Humphreys. The following sermon
was preached by the Venerable the Archdeacon of York,
and was in every point of view appropriate to the occasion.
ROMANS, xiv. 23.
" Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin."
I detach these words from the exhortation and narrative with
which they are immediately connected, in order to express, in
terms as brief as possible, a leading principle of Christian truth,
— one upon which, as respects our own concern and action in it,
the whole system of the Gospel is built. In the words of a
practical commentator, (x) " Taking it in general, it is the same
x. Mathew Henry.
P
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON.
« with that of the Apostle, < Without faith it is impossible to
« please Him.' Whatever we do in religion [or as religious
« beings], it will not turn to any good account, except we do it
« fronTa principle of faith, with a believing regard to the will of
" Christ as our rule, to the glory of Christ as our end, and to the
« righteousness of Christ as our plea."
The principle laid down in the text is interwoven with what a
great divine calls the "mother-grace" of Christianity, — -justification
by faith. We owe our salvation to "the kindness and love of
God:" it was His grace, favour, good-will, — unmerited and
unsought, — which devised and carried out this great redemption.
But to render this available to ourselves, faith is the agent, — the
hand that grasps the boon ; so that it may be said, comprehensively
and intelligibly, that we are "justified by faith :" thereby justified,
because that is the instrument by which we lay hold on the
promises, and obtain our covenant privileges as Christians.
Separated, then, from such a faith as a principle, — as the mean,
and instrument, and agent by which the sacrifice of Christ, which
is really the ground of our acceptance by God, can be made
effectual for our redemption; separated from "faith" as a rule
and direction of our work as Christians, all that we can devise
or enter upon is, emphatically, "sin." In the words of our
thirteenth Article, "works done before the grace of Christ, and
« the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch
** as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, — yea, rather for that
" they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to
« be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin."
The world has latterly abounded in experiments for bringing
about moral renovations by devices and associations merely
human: the present age is especially fruitful in working for
moral improvement apart from direct Gospel influence and the
sanctifying principle of faith. Societies are every where forming,
and multiplying, for objects of temperance or charity, and even for
effecting a wider obedience to single and separated commandments
of God. We should not quarrel with such associations, if they
worked within and under the Gospel ; but this the materials of
their fabric forbid. There are too many views and impressions
of Gospel truth and Church authority, to allow of unanimity in
adopting the rule of Christianity for such associations : men of,
all shades of religious opiMon connect themselves with them ;
and agreement, therefore, in a religious view and direction of
the system, is impossible. The consequence is, that to ensure
harmonious action in working out the special and subordinate
reform, religion, — as a formal, direct, and recognized agent, — must
be discarded. The society must go on in its operations, and
achieve its ends, without the Gospel as a foundation, — without
faith in Christ as a positive and admitted influence.
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON.
Here, then, we are led to the text, and to the high principle it
inculcates, " Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." Dismissing
religion from the ground-work and engraining, as we may say,
of the whole structure, it is not only presumptuous as respects the
hope or chance of success, but it is sinful, as professing to effect
by mere human means and agencies what can only be fruitful
at the last, and only pleasing to God at the first, by being built
upon, and wrought out by, the principle and rule of Christian faith.
It is, on another ground, peculiarly sinful and disastrous ; as
tending, if encouraged and generally pursued, to the superseding
and overthrow of Christianity altogether. The world, by this
means, is presented with the show at least of a successful rival
of Christianity, — with something of man's mere construction
apparently capable of working out high moral reformations ; of
effecting the extensive eradication of evil, and the diffusion of
the opposite good. The argument will come to be proposed and
accepted as plausible, that every thing for really enlightening the
mind and purifying the heart is attainable by such agencies ; and
the conclusion comes too soon to be adopted, that the system of
Christianity can be laid aside as useless. Man's natural pride,
too, is flattered by such a view, at the same time that an easier
and less stringent method of improvement is proposed. Modem
advancement in science and art, — the marvellous discoveries of
recent years, — the strides which the march of intellect has of late
confessedly made, have begotten too generally the opinion that
there is scarcely any thing unattainable by human ingenuity
and skill; and this flattering sentiment, unhappily proceeding
fast to a practical independence of the Deity, easily prepares the
mind for accepting the monstrous and ruinous proposition, that,
for all purposes of moral renovation, the Gospel can be dispensed
with. It is of little consequence that these counterfeits of truth,
these hollow substitutes for God's revelations, are transient and
weak in their nature, — that, like Jonah's gourd, they spring up
and perish in a night ; it matters not that their impressions are
superficial, and that their motives and actions vary with every
passing wind : there is a fascination to the senses in the show of
preparation about them, and men are won by the heat and bustle
of animal excitement with which they are accompanied.
But for the speciousness and presumption of this delusion, we
have a short and ready answer, " Whatsoever is not of faith, is
sin." And so, in better times and purer ages, thought and felt
the great brotherhood of Christians. Then did the Gospel
receive its becoming homage — a sanction far and. wide to its
exclusive power of moral sustenance and renovation. Then, in
the happy words of an earnest writer, " she gave names, and
methods, and ancient sanctions, and solemn order, and venerable
holiness, and every quality men love and obey, to the pious
bearers of spiritual and temporal aid to the ignorant and poor, as
114 THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON.
even the many sacred titles which our streets, our gates and our
bridges are still suffered to bear, do testify. She once did so
combine and temper these works of benevolence with other holy
employments, with frequent daily prayer, and oft-heard choral
praise, that the social acts of temporal and ghostly relief seemed
no separate, adventitious work, no petty craft of artificial good-
ness, no capricious adventure or trick of interference, but rather
flowing from a something holy, natural, and complete in all its
parts." — No human combination, no scheme of moral training or
of intellectual culture, was without the stamp and impress of
what alone can sanctify and hallow — the Word of Truth.
In the onward progress of a spirit which seeks to keep human
plans and inventions distinct from high Gospel verities and
influences, we cannot wonder at the divorce which of late years
has been so widely effected between education and religion. Our
gathering here to-day is the result of the advance of this spirit,
and of its too successful encroachment upon an ancient and
scriptural principle. It is a protest against the setting aside of
Christian faith as the foundation and rule of every thing that
concerns our work in life and our preparation for heaven.
And here the fact is not to be disguised, that this secularizing
of education, this exclusion from common learning of all the
influence of religion, is ascribable, in a large degree, to the
lamentable divisions in the ranks of Christianity to which we
have already referred. Rather than that one form of truth should
recognized, or truth in its simplicity and oneness be adopted,
men would discard it altogether. The young may be instructed
in every branch of learning, but the Bible, as far as public
teaching is concerned, must be a sealed book : our youth may be
familiarized with every modern development of science and art,
but the Gospel must not reflect its light upon it, or afford its
guidance where man might lead astray. This, in our common
schools, is now the law of the land ; and for the same reasons,
and from the same impulses, it has extended to our highest
seminaries of learning.
After years of persevering and undaunted struggle, in a propi-
tious hour, a University was established ; with some, though by
no means a complete or satisfactory recognition of Christian
truth. The word of God, at least, was not banished from its
halls ; the Gospel was allowed to mingle its sanctifying lessons
with secular teaching ; and the voice of prayer and praise was
permitted to invoke a daily blessing upon the intellectual culture
and the moral training. But this could not be long : the too
potent spirit of religious disunion and rivalry abolished even this
feeble show of respect for the majesty of truth ; this could not be
tolerated there in singleness or unity, and therefore it must be
thrust out altogether.
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON. H5
Could we, my brethren, taught and trained as we have been,
look with complacency on all this 1 Could we. having learned
Christ as we have been privileged to do, be content with this
marked neglect of, nay, this very trampling upon, our holy
Christianity 7 Could we, in contemplation of the dark cloud,
and repulsive chill, of infidelity, which a public infatuation had
brought upon our highest hall of science, help being affected by
this Gospel verity, emblazoned as it is upon the very forefront of
its holy records, " Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin 7" And im-
pressed in our inmost hearts with this solemn conviction, could
we, as a veritable" branch of the Church of God, do otherwise
than part company with an institution which has been made to
yield so entirely to the clamours and influence of her enemies 7
Could we do otherwise than establish a College for ourselves, in
which the altar of God could be prominently erected, and the
blessed teaching of Christianity prominently interwoven with
the lessons in science and art 7 — No : and with this solemn
impression, the sons and daughters of the Church have responded
to. the appeal of our venerable Diocesan, and many a noble
contribution has flowed in for the execution of this high purpose.
Our earnest-minded Bishop, in prosecution of the same righteous
and Christian enterprise, carried his appeal to our fatherland, —
encountering the fatigues and perils of long travelling by land and
by water, with all the anxieties, vexations, and disappointments
with which the personal prosecution of such an appeal is wont to
be attended. A good measure of success has crowned those
patient and zealous endeavours; and so far has the righteous
and Christian undertaking prospered, that we are permitted, by
God's gracious providence, to assemble together to-day to lay the
first stone of the edifice in which, while our youth are to be
trained for the honourable occupation of the world's offices of
trust and usefulness, they shall have that accompanying training
in religious truth which is the only security for sound principle
and religious dealing in the discharge of the duties of life.
We shall be told that all this advantage can be secured by the
erection of some slender institution by each division of our
unhappily divided Christianity, where their respective disciples
shall have the opportunity of religious exercises and instruction ;
while at the greater hall of science, — where religion's gentle
voice is not allowed to be heard, — they may pursue those studies
which, in all its variety of aspects, qualify for the work of life.
But we object, my brethren, to this thrusting forth of Christianity
from the temple, that she may take her abode, if she will, in
porches, and corners, and alleys, where she shall be shrouded
from view or buried from sight, as something to be ashamed of.
No ; let her assume her proper position, and occupy the highest
room ; let her form part of the nourishment and vitality that
courses through the heart and trunk, and not be a feeble and
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON.
sickly appendage, grafted hither and thither, in unsightly variety,
upon the lusty and expansive tree. Let Christianity be made to
give life, and influence, and direction to the whole ; and not, by
this subordinate position, appear to obtain a show of consequence
by alliance with a mere structure of the world.
We object to making the Gospel and the world, — the training
for this life's duties and the preparation for the next, — run thus
in parallel lines, asunder and distinct ; with opportunity for
rivalry and antagonism, for the adoption of sides, for choice of
interests ; but we contend for their bleeding and amalgamation,
that the world may be sanctified by the Gospel, — that, while we
get ourselves ready for the vocations of this life, for its trades and
professions, we are mingling with those preparations the lessons
that belong to the soul, and fit it for heaven. " Of old," says
Bishop Jeremy Taylor, "religion was but one of the natural laws,
and the instances of religion were distinct from the discourses of
philosophy. Now, all the law of nature is adopted into religion,
and by our love and duty to God, we are tied to do all that is
reason ; and the parts of our religion are but pursuances of the
natural relation between God and us ; and beyond all this, our
natural condition is, in all senses, improved by the consequents
and adherencies of this religion."
We object further to a system which would recognize the
lawfulness of religious division, and strike at the foundation of
the unity ot the Church, in countenancing an assemblage of sects
and parties, with an equality of claim and pretension, around
what we are constrained to term a gorgeous temple of infidelity.
We object to it, because it falsifies in practice what God hath
revealed, and Christ hath prayed for, and Apostles have taught,
of the oneness of truth, and the sinfulness and peril of division.
We object to it, because the aspect of unity which, from the
abjuration of creed, would pervade the greater seat of learning,
— wh3n contrasted with the variety and discord of religious
parties around it, — might drive many a youth from this distorted
and debarred Christianity to the quiet and easy lethargy of
scepticism and infidelity. We object to it, because the godly
lessons which may be given in these humbler appendages to the
great edifice of learning, may be insidiously or even openly
controverted in the general instruction in science and art. We
object to it, in a word, because the whole creation is not of faith;
and because our firm and solemn conviction, from revelation and
experience, is, that " What is not of faith, is sin." We dare not
countenance an institution thus framed, "lest haply we should be
found fighting against God."
We are sensible, my brethren, of the hastiness and even affect-
ation which so often accompanies the comparison made between
the present and past times ; at the disposition that prevails
unduly to exalt the days of our fathers and unreasonably to
THE REV. DR. BETHUNE'S SERMON. H7
disparage the present times, in contemplation of the moral and
religious condition of each. But with every allowance for the
natural exaggeration with which this kind of comparison will
be pursued, we shall none of us deny that there appears to be a
growing indifference to the power of moral restraint and the
might of religious influence. We are forced to lament an
advancing disposition to shake off the inconveniences of all
such obligations, and to give free indulgence to what the natural
heart craves, or the mind prefers. Loyalty, for example, is no
longer the high and binding principle that it was, but has
degenerated too widely into a question of policy or expediency.
Religious attachments have, in like manner, become slackened ;
and devotion to God's Church is too generally made dependant
upon the political considerations or motives of gain. Truth is
often compromised, that party may be sustained ; and the order
and rights of God's Church are given up, because temporal
interests may suffer by honesty and consistency of adherence
and defence. The Church of God thus becomes the sport and
play-thing of mere worldly politicians ; and its high and un-
changeable truths, its solemn and sanctifying influences, are
shifted about, or overshadowed, or defiled by unlawful contacts,
according to the whim of parties and the supposed aggradize-
ment and benefit of individuals. What should stand forth in
its simplicity and majesty, like a beacon light, to . guide and
sanctify the world, men, in their depravity and selfishness,
would pull down, and erect in its room spurious and counterfeit
fabrics, of every aspect and variety, to suit the contradicting
opinions and changeable humours of fallible and sinful beings.
Against these false principles — against this unrighteous pro-
fanation, we, my brethren, take our stand ; we testify, in the
undertaking which, with the invoked blessing of Almighty God,
we have commenced to day, our high and firm resolve to stand
by the truth in its purity, and to act upon the maxim, that
" whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." For we know the conse-
quence of dealing falsely or treacherously with what the word
of God lays down as the rule of conduct. If we abandon the
Lord and choose the side of his enemies ; if we forsake faith,
and take up with sin ; if we adopt the world for the " good part"
of truth and holiness, we may anticipate the realization to our-
selves of this threatening — " Ye shall die in your sins." Of the
fulness of the "wretchedness of such an end, human tongue is
incompetent to speak. If mind cannot conceive the blessedness
of heaven, so neither can it comprehend the misery of hell. And
between the two there is no alternative ; no middle or neutral
state, for the flattery of the soul in its delusion of error or sin.
When weighed in the balance, at the last scrutiny, if men are
found wanting, we know their destiny. Wanting faith — having
discarded that as a principle and guide of life, they have cast
1 18 THE PROCESSION TO THE GROUND.
voluntarily away all their hope from the merits and compassion
of the Saviour. They have broken the only bond, and loosened
every tie, which could link them to the Redeemer, and gain for
them the infinite benefits of his death and intercession. There
is, therefore, nothing between them ; and so, when the Saviour
comes to reward his faithful followers and punish his enemies,
this must be anticipated as his answer to those who have proved
thus false-hearted and adversaries — " Depart from me, I never
knew you."
At the conclusion oi the sermon, the offertory was read
by the Venerable the Archdeacon of Kingston, when about
forty pounds was colllected in aid of the funds of the
University.
When the service were ended, the Bishop, the Clergy
and the Congregation formed in procession at the western
end of the Church, and proceeded thence down John Street
and along Queen Street to the site of the College, in the
order undermentioned : —
Beadles.
Pupils of Church Grammar School.
Principals and Assistants of Church Grammar School.
Contractors.
Clerk of the Works.
Members of the Faculties of Arts, Medicine, Law and Divinity.
The Clergy.
Yeoman Beadle.
Church University Board
Collector.
Architect. Secretary. Solicitor.
Students in Medicine.
Students in Divinity.
Professors.
Council.
Bishop's Chaplain.
Verger.
Ven. Archdeacon T T T>T<mnp Ven. Archdeacon
of Kingston of York.
Contributors and Friends to the College on foot.
Contributors and Friends to the College in Carriages.
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 119
On its way from the Church to the grounds, several
of the gentry in carriages accompanied the procession, and
the footways were crowded with pedestrians. The scene
was gay and animating in the extreme, and everything
evinced the deep interest which the Churchmen of Toronto
and the Province generally took in the event.
On entering the grounds, the procession, headed by the
Bishop, proceeded to the appointed site, where a large
platform had been erected, capable of accommodating
many hundred persons. It was crowded with ladies anxious
to witness the interesting ceremony from the commanding
position which it gave them. As the procession slowly
approached the spot, the scene was solemn and impressive
in the extreme : and it was not until the whole body were
together, that any idea could be formed of the number in
attendance, which, at the time when his Lordship com-
menced his address, amounted to several thousand persons.
So admirable were all the arrangements, that there was
not a moment's pause in any of the proceedings.
On the arrival of the procession at the ground, the Lord
Bishop addressed the assembly thus :
BRETHREN —
It would not be very easy for me to address you on this occasion,
without briefly adverting to the fact, that, on the 23rd of April 1842,
little more than nine years ago, some of us assisted at the laying the
foundation stone of the University of King's College, with promising
hopes and sincere prayers.
The day being exceedingly fine, and the assemblage large and
brilliant, the ceremony was conducted with great solemnity and
magnificence. It was, perhaps, the most imposing and interesting
spectacle that had ever been seen in Upper Canada, and was hailed
as the harbinger of many benefits to the colony.
But vain and fleeting are the works and hopes of men, unless the
Divine blessing rest upon them. The noble seminary thus auspi-
ciously commenced in great pomp and splendour, and from which
so great results were expected, found itself immediately assailed by
the foes of truth, knowledge, and order. And after maintaining u
120 THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS.
feeble and troubled existence for little more than six years, it was
wholly swept away ; and so complete was the destruction, that the
very name by which it had been honored was suppressed, as if
religion and loyalty had deserted the Province.
But, forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forth to
those things that are before, let us not be dismayed, but seek with
increasing faith the divine aid in this our second and more sanctified
undertaking, to raise a Chrbtian Seminary where God's holy name
may ever be blessed and pr: 'sed.
To found a common seat 01 learning is a proud object of ambition,
but to establish a College devoted to the cause of God and the
diffusion of science, sound learning, and the true religion through so
vast a region as Upper Canada, is one of those precious distinctions
which are seldom attained, and associated in our imaginations as it
must be, with so many gifts and blessings to young and old, it cannot
fail to become a source of delightful reflection through life to all of
us who now enjoy the privilege of being present on this happy
occasion.
Feeble we may seem to the world's eye, but what Seminary in
the history of literature can claim an origin so pure and holy?
Trinity College is a burst of Christian benevolence, to remedy an
intolerable act of injustice, and to prove that all oppression is short-
sighted, and sure in God's own time to be overruled for good.
It is peculiarly the child of the Church ; from her it springs, and
under her wing it desires to nestle ; it will breathe as she breathes,
and acquire life and energy from the spiritual nourishment which
she is ordained to dispense.
So soon as the buildings are completed, Trinity College will
become in all her proceedings as strictly collegiate in discipline and
character as the circumstances of this new country will permit ; and
its authorities will ever keep in view the glorious models of the
Parent State, to which pure science and the Christian Faith are so
much indebted. From them she will borrow a spark of that living
flame by which they have been animated for so many centuries, in
order that she may with God's blessing kindle similar inspirations in
this Colony.
And I trust that many around me will be permitted to see Trinity
College taking an honored place among the more celebrated schools
of learning, and doing for Canada what Oxford and Cambridge have
done for England.
Allow me, in conclusion, to congratulate you — the city of Toronto,
and the whole Province — that God has put it into the hearts of
Churchmen, both here and in the Mother Country, to establish this
College on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
It will constitute a great Christian household, the domestic home
of all who resort to it for instruction, framing them in the Christian
graces, and in all sound learning, and sanctifying their knowledge,
THE LORD BISHOP'S PRAYER. 121
abilities and attainments to the service of God and the welfare of
their fellow-men.
And can we doubt the result of such teaching, under the blessing
of our Lord and Saviour ? Has he not made us a little lower than
the angels, and promised us a house not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens, and has he not bestowed upon us his everlasting
Gospel to be our constant guide, our tree of life to light us through
this valley of the shadow of Death to a happy immortality?
It has ever been the practice of Christian believers, when under-
taking any work of importance, to seek for Divine light and
assistance.
Let us then in accordance with a custom so pious begin with
offering our devout prayers to Almighty God for his blessing on this
solemn occasion, and for his guidance and support to all those who
now or hereafter may be connected with Trinity College, whose
living existence this passing hour commences.
His Lordship then offered up this prayer, which was
devoutly responded to by the audience.
0 Almighty God, with whom was wisdom when Thou didst pre-
pare the heavens and set a compass upon the face of the depth,
look down with favour, we most humbly beseech Thee, on the work
which we this day begin.
Mercifully grant unto all who are engaged therein judgment and
understanding; that the labour of their hands and fruits of their
counsels may tend to Thy glory, the good of Thy Church, and Jhe
well-being of this whole land.
Vouchsafe unto those who shall sojourn within the walls about to
rise from this foundation, minds enlightened by Thy heavenly grace,
to proceed in all their doings according to Thy will.
Teach by Thy Holy Spirit from on high those who shall here
teach ; and cause their instructions to agree with the truth of Thy
word and the testimony of Thy Church : that by the might of Thy
power, working through the frail instrumentality of men, the Faith
once delivered may be handed on for ever.
Grant to those who shall here learn, docility and diligence, that
they may be disciples indeed, willing from their youth to bear the
yoke of Christ, and fitted by a discipline of purity and prayer to
discharge the duties of those states of life which Thou hast appointed
for men to walk in.
Grant that from these walls may go forth, devoted - nto Thee and
rightly equipped for their work, messengers of the Gospel of Peace;
who shall aim, under the commission of their Saviour, to win souls
unto Thee; to train their brethren by the Word uid Sacraments
after the pattern of their Lord ; and to bring back those who err and
stray into the unity of the faith and the oneness of the Body of Christ.
Grant that from these walls may go forth Physicians skilled to
heal, and enabled, under Thee, to mitigate the woes which sin hath
122 THE LORD BISHOP'S PRAYER.
brought upon the earth : who, in their labour for the health of the
body, shall have regard also to the health of the soul, from a lively
faith in Thee the Father of the Spirits of us all.
Grant that from these walls may go forth men, who, while they
make the statutes and judgments of their fellow-men their study, and
consult how they may establish truth and justice in the State, shall
have in their hearts an abiding respect unto Thee, the Lawgiver of
the worlds, and to the decrees that shall hereafter decide the eternal
condition of quick and dead.
Grant that from these walls may go forth those who, while they
engage in the traffic of the earth, and fulfil Thy will in effecting
among men the interchange of the wide-spread gifts of Thy bounteous
hand, shall know also what is the merchandize of the true riches j
how to increase the gifts with which they have been entrusted to
profit withal ; and how to lay up treasures in heaven.
Grant, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, to each and all who shall go
forth hence to labour in their various vocations among their fellow-
men, that, to intellects accomplished in wisdom and knowledge, they
may join souls filled with a true reverence and love towards Thee ;
so that, as polished shafts from Thy hand, they may in all things
fulfil Thy good pleasure, to the glory of Thy great name.
Grant, 0 Lord, that this building, about to be devoted to learning
and religion, may proceed without let or hinderance, and may be to
future generations the fountain, under Thee, of abundant blessings.
Visit with Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, those benefactors
who have contributed to the furtherance of this good work; and stir
up other hearts to munificence towards the undertaking on which
we now enter. Cause many among the brethren to vie in zeal with
those who in the times of old have founded and endowed in the land
of our fathers the seats of learning dedicated to Thee and to the
service of Thy Church.
And grant, O Lord, that we and our descendants to the latest
generation, being preserved evermore from the hands of the spoiler,
may enjoy these gifts, and pursue our course in confidence and peace.
Hear us, 0 Almighty God, we humbly beseech Thee, in these our
supplications and prayers, for the sake of our only Mediator and
Advocate, Jesus Christ ; to whom, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost,
the ever adorable Trinity, to whom we dedicate our work, be all
honour and glory, for ever and ever. Jlmen.
A bottle containing the coins and documents intended to
be placed under the stone, was then handed to the Lord
Bishop by Dr. Burnside, and the Hon. Chief Justice Robin-
son read the inscription engraved on the brass plate, which
was then cemented into its place.
THE LATIN INSCRIPTION. 123
IN. NOMINE. PATRIS. FILH. ET. SPIRITVS. SANCTI. AMEN.
HVNC. PRIMVM. LAPIDEM.
COLLEGIL SANCTAE. ET. INDIVIDVAE. TRINITATI3
APVD. TORONTO
AD. PROMOVENDVM. FIDEM. CHRISTIANAM
OMNESQVE. ARTES. LIBERALES
DESTINATI
PRIDIE. KAL. MAIAS
ANNO. SALVTIS. MDCCCLI
VICTORIA. DEI. GRATIA. FIDEL DEFENSORE
IAM. ANNOS. QVATVORDECIM. REGNANTE
VIRO. NOBILI. JACOBO. COMITE. DE. ELGIN. ET. KINCARDINE
RES. IN. AMERICA. SEPTENTRIONALI. BRITANNICAS
VICE. REGIA. ADMINISTRATE
POSVIT
HONORABILIS. ET. REVERENDISSIMVS. IOANNES. STRACHAN
S:T:P: LL:D:
EPISCOPVS. TORONTONENSIS
EXTRVITVR
COLLEGIVM. IAM. NASCENS
SVMPTIBVS. EORVM. QVI. CVM. IN. BRITANNIA
TVM. IN HACCE. DIOECESI
ADMONITV. ILLIVS. ASSIDVO. INCITATI
PECVNIAS. ET. AGROS. LIBENTI. ANIMO
DEO. DEDICANTES
PRAEBVERVNT
CVI. PRAESVLI. PIO. CONST ANTI. INTENTO
VSQVE. AD. SVPREMVM. DIEM. SVVM. ELABORATVRO
VT, IVVENTVS. CANADENSIS
DISCIPLINIS. AC. MORIBVS
AD. EXEMPLAR. CHRISTI. ACCOMMODATIS
IN. OMNI. TEMPORE. INSTITVERENTVR
GRATES. DEBITAS. REDDITO. POSTERITAS
DOMo EPISCOPO. IVRE. AC. MERITO. PRAESIDI. PRIMO
IN. COLLEGII. CONCILIVM. ADSCRIPTI—
VEN: G: 0: STVART. S:T:P: ARCHIDIAC: REGIOPOL:
VEN: A: N: BETHVNE. S:T:P: ARCHIDIAC: EBOR:
A: BURNSIDE. ARM? HON: I: B: ROBINSON
REV: H: I: GRASETT. A:M: HON: I: B: MACAVLAT
I: ARNOLD. ARMR L: MOFFATT. ARMR
HON: I: GORDON. HON: I: G: SPRAGGE
P: VANKOVGHNET. ARM? HON: R: S: JAMESON
E: M: HODDER. M:C:R: M: STRACHAN. ARM?
A: N: MACNAB. ESQVS.
COLLEGII. FIDUCIARII
REV: H: I: GRASETT. A:M: G: GVL: ALLAN. ARM"
L: MOFFATT: ARM?
COLLEGH. VECTIGALIBVS. PRAEFECTI
HON: G: CROOKSHANK. HON: GVL: ALLAN
HON: I: GORDON
T: CHAMPION. COLLEGII. SCRINIARIVS
K: TVLLY. ARCHITECTVS
I: METCALFE. A: WILSON. D: FORBES
REDEMPTORES
DEVS. INCEPTO. EVENTVM. DET. FAVSTVM
FVNDATOR. IDEM. QVI. ET. FVNDAMEN
ECCLESIAE. VNIVERSALIS
ADSIT. HS. QVIBVS. DISCIPLINAE. CHRISTIANAE
OMNESQVE. ARTES. OPTIMAE
IN. HIS. SEDIBVS. SINT. EXCOLENDAE.
124 TRANSLATION OF INSCRIPTION.
Professor Hodder, M.C., read a translation of the in-
scription :
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
On the 30th of April, 1851, in the Fourteenth year of the reign
of VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith,
and while the Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine
was Governor-General of British North America, this Foundation
Stone of Trinity College, Toronto — an Institution established for the
furtherance of the Christian Religion, and all the Liberal Sciences —
was laid by the Honourable and Right Reverend JOHN STRACHAN,
D.D., LL.D., Bishop of Toronto.
The College, now commenced, is built through the munificence
of those who, at his earnest instigation, both in Britain and in this
Diocese, gave with willing minds, as to the Lord, gifts of money and
lands, for the accomplishment of this object.
To this devoted and persevering Prelate, who, throughout an
extended life, labours that the youth of Canada may at all times be
trained in Christian principles, let posterity render grateful thanks.
With the Bishop, who is deservedly the first President of the
College, have been associated the following, as the Council of the
College :
The Ven. G. O. Stuarl, D.D., LL D., Archdeacon of Kingston.
The Ven. A. N. Bethune, D.D., Archdeacon of York.
Alexander Burnside, Esq. The Hon. J. B. Robinson.
The Rev. H. J. Grasett, M.A. The Hon. J. B. Macaulay.
J. Arnold, Esq. L. Moffatt, Esq.
The Hon. J. Gordon. The Hon. J. G. Spragge.
Philip M. Vankoughnet, Esq. The Hon. R. S. Jameson.
E. M. Hodder, M.C. J. M. Strachan, Esq.
Sir Allan N. MacNab.
TRUSTEES :
Rev. H. J. Grasett, M.A.; G. W. Allan, Esq.; L. Moffatt, Esq.
TREASURERS :
The Hon. G. Crookshank; The Hon. W. Allan ; The Hon. J. Gordon.
Thos. Champion, Esq., Secretary.
K. Tully, Architect.
Metcalfe, Wilson and Forbes, Builders.
God grant a prosperous issue to the begun labour! May He,
who is at once the Founder and Foundation-stone of His Church,
be ever present with those who shall, within these walls, devote
themselves to Christian learning and the liberal sciences.
SIR A. N. MACNAB'S ADDRESS. 125
The Architect then handed the trowel to the Lord Bishop,
and the stone having been adjusted, the Bishop said :
" Our help is in the Name of (he Lord."
" Answer. Who hath made made heaven and earth."
" Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that
build it."
Upon which his Lordship, having struck the stone three
times with the mallet, said :
" In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen. I lay this corner stone of an edifice to be here
erected by the name of Trinity College, to be a place of sound
learning and religious education in accordance with the principles
and usages of the United Church of England and Ireland. Other
foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus
Christ, who is God over all, blessed for evermore ; and in whom we
have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
Amen.
After laying the Corner Stone, Sir Allan Napier McNab
addressed the Lord Bishop to the following effect :
MY LORD BISHOP,
It affords me great satisfaction to congratulate you, and through
you all the Churchmen of your extensive Diocese, upon this auspi-
cious commencement of a work, the completion of which is ardently
prayed for by all who desire the dissemination of sound religious and
secular education ; combined, as on the very highest considerations
they ought to be, in order that all things may work together to the
glory of God, and the advancement of Christ's kingdom on earth.
The realization of their hopes must prove likewise the accom-
plishment of what a long, active, and useful life spent among us
abundantly evince — is a great object, that you have for many long
years devoutly and zealously laboured to effect ; I trust that the
blessing of God will attend the exertions of yourself and supporters
to the end, and that we have here seen laid the foundation of an
Institution that shall extend its blessed influence to the latest posterity.
This is not a time, my Lord, to review the causes that have led
to these renewed efforts on your part, or to recount the exertions
and perseverance, through which (impelled by the highest qualities
that dignify and adorn our nature,) you have won the admiration,
esteem and gratitude of all who knows and appreciates your high
merits, in the exalted and sacred office in which it has pleased
126 LATIN ORATION.
Providence to place you, for the good of this community, and the
welfare of mankind — they have established you in the hearts and
affections of us all ; and I am sure that I only express the common
feeling, when I pray that you may long enjoy health and strength to
prosecute your high Christian duties with continued success. We
all contemplate the happy issue of the present work, not only in its
construction, but still more in its efficient operation, as of vital
importance to the prosperity and well being of the members of our
Church in particular, and also of all classes of society in general ;
inasmuch as whatever contributes to the one, necessarily proves
beneficial to the other.
Master John Bethune, a son of the Venerable Archdeacon,
read the Address from the Pupils of St. Paul's Church
Grammar School, as follows :
Hon. et Reverendo in Christo Patri JOANNI STRACHAN, S.T.P., LL.D.
Episcopo Torontonensi.
Gratias tibi agimus, Prassul Reverendissime, quod, per comitatem
tuam, nobis hodie te adire liceat. Nostram erga te observantiam
profiteri volumus, tibique, item que Provinciae, hunc laetum diem —
hoc apus tarn feliciter inceptum — gratulari.
Nos quidem, quamvis in primo setatis stadio, Ecclesise veritatea,
historiam, instituta, prasertim Sacras Scripturas, magni aestimamus.
HEBC apud nos quam plurimum valent; his incumbere, duce caro
praeceptore, nos delectat ; ideoque doctrinam sine religione, litera-
rum quoque famam nisi Dei gratia acedat, parvi ducimus. Optamus,
igitur, et speramus fore ut in hac Academia, cujus fundamenta post
tot curas tantosque labores (Deo adjuvante) jecisti, permulti erudian-
tur adolescentes, non minus moribus integris religiosis que quam
scientia ornati, qui, cum in vita privata turn in rebus publicis capes-
sendis, Ecclesiae presidium et decus evadant.
Deus 0. M., nostris enixis precibus annuens, hoc sanctum opus
ad felicem exitum adducat, teque ipsum multos annos, quos beata
dcmum sequatur imrnortalitas, salvum atque incolumem conservet.
E. Schola Sti. Pauli,
Apud Toronto, Prid. Kal. Maias, A. S. N., MDCCCLI.
To which his Lordship made the following reply :
Gratulationibus vestris, Pueri carissimi, valde delector.
De religione et doctrina consociandis rectissime quidem judicastis ;
certe enim metuendum est ne quasi venenatum poculum fiat doctrina,
nisi " antidotum suam" (ut est apud unum e nostris philosophis)
religio infudisset.
THE BIDDING PRAYER. 127
Fieri non potuit quin summo dolore afficereraur quum Collegii
Regalis eversionem vidissemus ; in hac tamen Academia Universi-
tatem istam, iniquissime eversam, resurgentem spectare videmur ;
si minus opibus florentem, auspiciis tamen sanctioribus, quoniam,
erga Reginam pari fidelitate, Ecclesia? nostrae vinclis arctioribus con-
jimcta erit.
Freti Dei prsesidio baud quaquam debitamus quin bujus operis, —
ad Dei gloriam, in Dei nomine suscepti, — felicem exitum confidenter
sperare liceat. Illi, Optimo, Maximo, pieces adhibeamus, ut Col-
legium S S Trinitatis, cum eruditionem ac scientiam — turn.
" Quidquid habent telorum armamentaria coeli " alumnis suis
ministret.
H6c magnopere Icstor quod a prsRceptore vestro certior factus sim,
vos quibus studiis vera? laudes comparantur, iisdiligenterincumbere,
iis praesertim qua? ad pictatem erga Deum, ad Dei Ecclesiam, ad
hominum salutem, ad vitam sempiternam pertinent.
Haec, Pueri carissimi, excolere pergitote, atque ut parentum,
patrisB, imprimis Dei gratiam vobismet concilietis summa industria
enitimini. Id si feceritis, existimationis integra in vita presenti
decus parabitis, in vita futura autem immortalis gloriae prsemium
(Jesus Christi propter merita) vobis tribuetur.
The Venerable Archdeacon BETHUNE then delivered the
Bidding Prayer, as follows : —
Let us pray for Christ's Holy Catholick Church, that is, for the
whole congregation of Christian people dispersed throughout the
world, particularly for that pure and reformed part of it to which we
belong.
For all Christian Sovereigns, Princes and Governours, especially
Her Most Excellent Majesty, our Sovereign Lady, Victoria, by the
Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
Queen, Defender of the Faith, over all persons and in all causes
within her dominions supreme :
For His Royal Highness the Prince Albert, Albert Prince of
Wales, and all the Royal Family.
Pray we also for all those who bear office in this part of Her
Majesty's dominions, and herein more particularly for the Governor
General ;
For the Ministers and Dispensers of God's Holy Word and Sacra,
ments, whether they be the Archbishops, particularly John Bird,
Lord Archbishop of this Province, or Bishops, particularly John,
Lord Bishop of this Diocese, or the inferior clergy, the Priests and
Deacons ; for the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Judges,
Magistrates and Gentry of the Province ; that all these, in their
several stations, may serve truly and faithfully to the honour of God
128 THE REV. H. J. GRASETT READ PRAYERS.
and the welfare of his people, always remembering that strict and
solemn account which they must themselves one day give before
the judgment seat of Christ.
And that there never may be wanting a supply of persons duly
qualified to serve God, both in Church and State, let us pray for a
blessing on all Seminaries of sound learning and religious education,
especially the Universities of our native country ; and, as in duty
bound, for this religious foundation of Trinity College.
Pray we likewise for the Civil Incorporation of this City ; for the
Worshipful the Mayor, the Aldermen, and all that bear office in that
Body.
Lastly, let us pray for all the Commons of the Province ; that
they may live in the true faith and fear of God, in dutiful allegiance
to the Queen and in brotherly love and Christian charity one towards
another. And, as we pray unto God for future mercies, so let us
praise His most holy name for those we have already received ; for
our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but,
above all, for our redemption through Christ Jesus ; for the means
of grace afforded us here, and for the hope of Glory hereafter.
Finally, let us praise God for all those who have departed this
life in the faith of Christ, beseeching him that we may have grace so
to direct our lives after their good example, that with them we may
be partakers of His heavenly kingdom. These prayers and
praises let us offer humbly up to the throne of Grace, in the words
which Christ himself hath taught us.
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into tempta-
tion ; But deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The services were concluded by the Rev. H. J. GRASETT,
M. A., with the following Prayers :
LET us PRAY.
O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation
of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the head
corner stone ; grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by
their doctrine, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable unto
thee : through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Amen.
Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy ser-
vants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the
glory of the Eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty,
to worship the Unity ; we beseech thee, that thou wouldestkeep us
stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities,
who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. — Amen.
THE INAUGURATION. 129
Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards
men, We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify
thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God,
Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb
of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the
Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy : thou only art the Lord ; thou only, O
Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the
Father. — Amen.
THE BISHOP.
The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your
hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son
Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain
with you always. — Amen.
CEREMONY OF INAUGURATION.
At eleven o'clock, A. M., on Thursday, the 15th January,
1852, the Morning Service of the Church was celebrated in
the temporary Chapel of the College, which was filled by
those who were to take part in the proceedings of the day,
the friends and benefactors of the Institution, and as many
as could obtain access — the passages and staircases being
occupied by attentive listeners. There were also many in
the Halls and other apartments of the building who were
disappointed in joining in prayer and praise, from the neces-
sarily limited accommodation afforded by the room.
The prayers were said by the Reverend Provost Whitaker.
The Reverend Professors Parry and Irving, read the
Lessons.
130 THE INAUGURATION.
The Anthem was taken from the Collect for the Seventh
Sunday after Trinity, and was feelingly sung by the Choir
of the Church of the Holy Trinity. The effect of the sing-
ing, particularly of the Jubilate, under such peculiar circum-
stances, was most thrilling ; the heart seemed carried away
by the influence of the sacred melody, and the memory
of similar scenes came afresh to the mind.
The congregation then proceeded to the entrance Hall
which had been very judiciously arranged for the occasion.
At the north end, on the dais, sat the Lord Bishop, in full
canonicals. On either side of him were placed the Coun-
cil of the College, with the Reverend Provost and Pro-
fessors, in their respective academicals, the Clergy in their
robes, and the other College officials. Below the dais
were seated the students and candidate matriculants — the
rest of the space being filled by an auditory evincing the
most earnest attention. Notwithstanding the severity of
the weather (it being one of the coldest days during the
winter), there were many ladies present.
The proceedings commenced by the Reverend The Pro-
vost calling upon the Students to sign the declaration of
obedience to the rules of the College, which was in the
following words : —
" I (A. B.) do hereby promise and declare that I will, with God's
help, during my residence in this College, faithfully obey the Laws
thereof, and diligently attend to the studies required of me."
The Theological Students then advanced and subscribed
the Thirty-nine Articles. Each Student, after signing,
withdrew to an adjacent room and put on his academical
dress, and then returned to his seat.
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 131
The Rev. Professor Parry presented each Student sever-
ally to the Provost, with the following address : —
"Praesento tibi hunc juvenem, bene quod scio moratum et satis
doctum, qui inter alumnos nostros recipiatur."
The Rev. the Provost then admitted them, using the fol-
lowing formula : —
" Ego auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te in Collegium S. S.
Trinitatis. Tu autem Deum timeto, Reginam honorato, virtutem
colito. Disciplinis bonis in hos Collegio operam dato."
The Lord Bishop rose and delivered the following address.
MY BRETHREN, —
I feel it impossible to address so respectable an audience on this
occasion, auspicious as it is, without experiencing a strange mixture
of painful as well as pleasing emotions, or, as the ancient Poet has
expressed it, " The joy of grief."
At laying the foundation stone of King's College about ten years
ago, I declared, as I then truly felt, that it was the happiest moment
of my life, and that I had been anxiously looking and working for it
during more than forty years, as a consummation of the greatest
importance, and which, under Divine Providence, was eminently
calculated to advance the glory of God and the best interests of man.
Again, in June, 1843, 1 was called upon to take a prominent part
in the proceedings at the opening of the same Institution for the
business of Instruction, and in my address I remarked that we were
assembled to celebrate an event to which many had been looking
forward for nearly half a century — that it was a work of infinite
value to the well-being of Canada — and the proceedings with which
it was attended would henceforth become a matter of history, while
the College itself would shed the most precious blessings over the
whole country.
But, vain are the hopes and labours of frail mortals ; it was not
permitted to proceed in its useful labours. For, in a few months, it
was ruthlessly assailed, and, although at that time unsuccessfully, its
enemies continued their warfare and accomplished its suppression
before the termination of its seventh year, just as it began to bear
fruit and win its way into the affections of the people.
On the 7th of February, 1850, or about five weeks after King's
College had ceased to exist, I sent a Pastoral letter to the Clergy
and Laity of the Diocese, informing them that we had been deprived
of King's College, the gift of our Sovereign, and that an University
had been substituted in its stead, with which we could not in any
13$ THE INAUGURATION.
sense, as religious men, co-operate, — that it therefore was incum-
bent on us to sacrifice endowment rather than principle ; and, as it
was impossible for us, great as the sacrifice might be, to hold con-
nexion with an Institution essentially anti-christian, though originally
bearing the honored name of its Royal Founder, George IV., and
established expressly for religious purposes, it became a matter of
necessity, as well as duty, to establish a University from our private
resources, in close connexion with the Church to which we had the
happiness to belong.
To this appeal my people nobly responded, and subscribed in
money, lands, and stock in building societies, about twenty-five
thousand pounds currency.
Yet, great and praise-worthy as this exertion was on the part of
the Diocese, we have good reason to expect much more. For
widely as the appeal was circulated, it did not reach many who
would have, most willingly, contributed. Some held back on the
supposition that the work was far beyond the ability of the Diocese
to carry out — that it might fail after much expense had been incur-
red— and they did not feel satisfied to contribute towards a probable
loss. Temporary inability, and other causes, prevented many friends
to the object from coming forward at that time, but there was
throughout one cheering circumstance — all bade us God speed.
Encouraged by what was actually done within the Diocese, and
fully persuaded that much more would be done when the College
was seen in successful operation, I prepared to visit England, being
convinced that the cause I had to advocate could not fail to command
the sympathy of all who belonged to our communion and awaken
their best affections in its favour.
This step was indeed absolutely necessary, because scarcely one-
fifth of the amount subscribed was in money, and which, even if
paid up, was altogether insufficient to erect the requisite buildings,
and lay the foundation of anything like an adequate endowment.
On the 30th of April I reached London, and lost no time in address-
ing letters to the Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy and Laity, Members
of the Church, telling them, that under the pressure of what I felt
to be a great necessity, I had ceased, for a short time, my Pastoral
labours in the Diocese of Toronto, to appeal, I hoped not in vain, to
their sympathy in behalf of their brethren in Upper Canada. The
full explanation of the causes of my visit, my object and wants, was
most favourably received, and munificent donations granted. In
this the two great Church Societies and the University of Oxford
took the lead. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts voted two thousand pounds, payable by instalments of
four hundred pounds per annum ; and a donation of seven acres and
a half ol land within the precincts of the City of Toronto, worth, at
least as much more. The Society for Promoting Christian Know-
ledge granted three thousand ; and the University of Oxford five
hundred pounds. The subscriptions from individuals throughout
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 133
England exceed four thousand pounds, in sums of tens, twenties,
and fifties, up to £104, from Liverpool. One generous benefactor
deserves particular notice, Charles Hampden Turner, Esquire, F.
R. S., Rooks Nest Park, Surrey, who has given us the princely gift
of five hundred pounds. This gentleman takes a warm interest in
Upper Canada, and is the munificent supporter of all enterprises and
schemes that have for their object the spiritual and temporal interests
of mankind.
Had I been able to remain six or eight months longer in England
to preach and to hold meetings in the large towns, and make my
object more generally known, I verily believe that I should have
realized more than double the amount received — but it is not too
late — a fresh appeal for farther assistance may be now fairly made
to our friends in the Diocese, as well as in England, who have not
yet given assistance. Nor need we hesitate to lay our case before
our countrymen in the United States, and claim from them their
good wishes and substantial aid in building up an Institution
in which they may place full confidence, for the nurture and educa-
tion of their sons upon the most correct and purest principles — here
they will be surrounded by a population truly English, and all they
learn will be founded on a religious basis. The same may be said
to our fellow-subjects in the West Indies. Their youth will here
find a climate exceedingly healthy — they will, on their arrival, find
themselves domesticated in a large family, under a like discipline, as
to regularity and order, as distinguished the great households in Eng-
land a century ago, when prayers were celebrated evening and morn-
ing, and all the Members were taught, from their earliest infancy,
that the present life was only the gate-way, or introduction, to a
blessed immortality.
On my return to the Diocese, on the 2nd of November, 1850, 1
called as many of our subscribers together as possible, and commu-
nicated to them a full account of my journey and the gratifying
results, which proved, as might have been anticipated, highly satis-
factory to all our friends and benefactors.
Our first pressing object was to find a suitable site for the Univer-
sity, and in what part of the Diocese it should be placed. A very
kind message was sent from Niagara, offering a splendid donation of
fifty acres of land close to the town, on which to erect the University
buildings. This was a great temptation, for there is not perhaps a
more eligible locality for a seat of learning in all Upper Canada — the
beauty of the Town and District — its central position and compara-
tive retirement, were much in its favour. A like offer was made
from Cobourg, which also possesses many local advantages, and
which had, for many years, been the seat of our Theological Semin-
ary. Intimations were also made from Hamilton of great encourage-
ment, should it be chosen for the seat of the Institution. But as it
could only be placed in one locality, it seemed reasonable that the
wishes of the subscribers, so far as it was possible to ascertain them,
134 THE INAUGURATION.
should be carefully weighed. First, it appeared that the donors in
England, though placing full power to determine this and every other
matter respecting Trinity College, in the hands of the Bishop,
expressed a desire that it should be at or near the Bishop's See, that
it might enjoy the benefit of his advice and superintendence. More-
over Toronto, from its central situation, is more generally convenient
for the whole diocese than any other place, and the greater
portion of the amount subscribed within the Diocese was contributed
by its inhabitants, much of it in the expectation, if not on the condi-
tion, that it should be at or near it. These different grounds decided
the question in favour of Toronto, and to the general satisfaction, and
what was very pleasing, by the different towns which had made
liberal overtures for its presence.
The next step was to choose an eligible site, and after a little
search we had the good fortune to secure one of twenty acres,
fronting Queen's Street, and commanding a view of the Lake and
harbour. It is considered, by every person capable of forming a
correct judgment, to be the most beautiful and convenient for the
purpose that could have been selected in all the neighbourhood.
Having purchased the site, another question arose, as to building
or not building for a few years, which would have been not a little
perplexing had we required merely a Hall, Lecture rooms and
Chapel ; but as our College was to be one of residence there was no
alternative, for we could not even commence till we had suitable
accommodation for the Students. Proper buildings could not be
found to lease, and if they had we should not only have had their
rents to pay, but, in addition, the interest of the money laid out in
the purchase of the site, and which would remain useless till built
upon, Our only profitable course therefore was to forward the
erection of the College buildings as quickly as possible.
Plans were accordingly advertised for, and contracts entered into
for erecting such a portion of the one preferred as our funds would
enable us to meet, postponing the remainder till our increased
numbers and resources made it convenient to complete the whole.
Thus it appears that in all our proceedings we have consulted, in
the most courteous and liberal manner, the feelings and wishes and
opinions of our benefactors, in as far as was practicable, a«d the best
proof of it is, that on all sides we meet with their cordial approbation.
And now that we are assembled in a large and finished portion
of this splendid structure, which is allowed by all to be an ornament
to the Capital and creditable to the Diocese, we may honestly con-
gratulate ourselves and one another on the great and rapid progress
which we have made in our undertaking, — and lift up our hearts in
thankfulness and prayer to Almighty God that as he has so far
blessed our endeavours, he will continue to bless them to the end.
Some of our supporters, living at a distance, may, no doubt, have
wished to be with us in all our steps of progress, and we should have
cordially hailed their presence and profited by their counsel, but this
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 135
could not be. They are several hundreds in number, scattered over
all England and Upper Canada ; and, as is usual in all such cases, the
burthen and responsibility of carrying out their views were, of neces-
sity, thrown upon those who were near enough to make their
attendance not particularly inconvenient. All has been publicly,
and it is hoped, well done. The minutes of proceeding have at all
times been open to subscribers — half the Council was named by them,
and the other half by the Bishop, in his own behalf and the subscri-
bers in England who honour him with their entire confidence.
While we were actively employed in preparing for the opening of
Trinity College and the commencement of instruction, a Committee
of four of the most eminent Clergymen in London were prevailed
upon, at the Bishop's request, to undertake the selection of the
gentlemen who were more especially to preside over, and conduct
the Institution. After much trouble arid many disappointments, this
Committee have discharged their onerous but most important duty,
in a manner highly creditable to themselves, and, it is believed, to
the great benefit of the Institution. The Provost, who is also Pro-
fessor of Divinity and Head of the College, the Professors of
Classical Literature and of Mathematics, are now present and pre-
pared to begin the discharge of their respective duties. They bring
with them the highest testimonials, and reputations of which we may
be proud, and which cannot fail of calling our infant Institution into
speedy notice ; but I dare not, in their presence, proceed any farther
on this part of my subject.
Suffice it to say that we shall commence the business of instruc-
tion in greater efficiency than has yet been attempted in any of the
British American Colonies, under five departments — Theology,
Classical Literature, the Mathematical Sciences, the faculty of
Law, and the faculty of Medicine, including Chemistry. All our
arrangements are of the most liberal and satisfactory kind. The
care bestowed in making our various appointments, whilst proving
our great anxiety for the success of the College, offers a sure pledge
of future watchfulness over its interests. Cherishing the hope of
conferring a lasting benefit upon the Church and the country, we
shall proceed with double confidence in every department; for
though we make religion the basis of all our teaching, there will be
no neglect of any of those secular branches of knowledge which are
embraced in the most extensive and approved systems of Academi-
cal education.
Having thus brought the history of Trinity College down to the
present hour, I will now, with your permission, proceed to make
a few general remarks on the beneficial results which we an-
ticipate from the discipline, training and instruction which are to be
employed.
This is perhaps the more necessary because the larger portion of
our young men will come to us from a distance, and it will gladden
the hearts of their parents to know that, though not immediately under
136 THE INAUGURATION.
their watchful eye, everything will be done to supply the place of
paternal counsel and maternal tenderness.
As there is no system of education to be compared with that
which is carried on at the domestic fireside, so that which in
advanced years comes nearest to it, is unquestionably the next best.
Now, one of our principal objects in this Institution will be to bring
back to the hearts and affections of our youth the fresh and innocent
impressions of early infancy. With what deep emotions do we find
the best and greatest of men recalling, in after life, the blessed influ-
ences which they imbibed under the paternal roof — the holy truths
communicated and the first faint accents of prayer which a pious
and tender mother whispered in their ears, invoking the protection
of their God and Saviour before she kissed them and consigned them
to their night's repose. On such sweet and pure recollections they
delight to dwell, for at home all our best and holiest charities and
affections begin, and from this centre they extend through an ever
widening circle. Our desire then is to build upon this holy founda-
tion, to form ourselves, in as far as possible, into a large household,
and keep as near as may be practicable to the order and economy of
a well regulated family. There will be daily and hourly intercourse
between the youth and their instructors — reverence for superior
age and attainments, and a prompt obedience to all their reasonable
commands.
There will also be among the young men themselves an affection-
ate brotherhood, confidential and salutary companionship, noble
resolutions, aspiring hopes, useful conversation and friendly intimacy,
on terms and with an intensity which nothing but a College life will
admit. But, were they scattered about and living here and there in
lodgings, these advantages, great and precious as they are, would be
altogether lost.
In regard to discipline, we cannot surely be required, in 1852, to
shew that it is unnecessary, — on the contrary, the experience of all
ages and countries points out the advantage of subjecting the passion-
ate and enthusiastic period of youth to salutary control, as well as
the great difficulty of rendering it effectual.
This difficulty it will be our endeavour to surmount— not that we
hope entirely to reduce to order those who are determined to be
vicious, for, to a certain degree, all plans of restraint, however
judiciously carried out, will be found deficient — yet a steady and just
system of control, firmly but affectionately exercised, will do much.
Even residence alone, will be found highly conducive to the encour-
agement and preservation of correct moral conduct.
It removes many from temptation, who are too weak or timid to
resist — it keeps others from vicious practices who were at first open
to no higher motives : — and even where offences may have been
committed, it prevents the habits of vice by the watchful supervision
employed — the certainty that those who persist in evil courses will
at length be discovered, condemned, disgraced and expelled.
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 137
Moreover, it sets up and establishes, if not always the highest,
yet a respectable standard of morals and behaviour, which will
become purer and more elevated as they advance in life.
Let it be added, that the young gentlemen who come here, and
who may, in future years, become leading men in society, as Clergy-
men, Lawyers, Physicians, Statesmen, Merchants and Landed Pro-
prietors, &c., are to be subjected to this salutary vigilance and con-
trol, not in boyhood, but from sixteen to twenty-two, or during the
whole of their residence at College. To be thus under a well regu-
lated restraint for several years, during the most critical period of
their lives, is an advantage of great value, and gives the surest guar-
antee which it is possible to obtain that they will leave the Institu-
tion with characters and attainments honourable to themselves and
full of promise to their country.
On the other hand, we may rest assured, that even to young men
naturally well disposed, the effects will not only be calamitous, but
in many instances blast their prospects in life, if they be cast loose
as it were in a large city like this, without a friend or counsellor
whom they revere, without any moral discipline, left to choose their
abode, and their hours and companions as they please — to attend,
or not attend the worship of God, and fall a prey to every corruption.
Doubtless, in some cases, under all these disadvantages, early
impressions of religion, through God's grace, may preserve them
from evil, and bring them out ofathe fiery trial, corrected, strengthened
and improved. But is this the natural result that we are entitled to
expect from the total absence of vigilant supervision, discipline
and control?
It would therefore seem that nothing is more likely to benefit
Students than to afford them an opportunity of living together in
society — of which the regular attendance upon religious ordinances,
the observance of correct and gentlemanly habits, and obedience to
a wholesome restraint, would form prominent features. — Thence we
infer that without residence within the College, the full benefit of
collegiate life and education cannot be obtained.
The facts of attending daily service in the Chapel, morning and
evening, — listening to the religious lectures — dining together in the
Hall — conversations on their progress in their studies — cheerfully
conforming to the rules of order and regularity prescribed, will
seldom fail to produce good habits ; and, as we are the children of
habit, we may, by God's help, gain those that are good more easily
than the wicked learn such as are evil.
When we speak of education based on religion we mean, by
religion, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that instruction in
this the most important of all knowledge, shall not be confined to
public worship, but shall enter largely into the studies and training
of every department of the College. Thus the Students in the Arts
and Sciences, as well as in Theology, must attend lectures on the
Holy Scriptures, and the doctrines and duties of Christianity, in con-
138 THE INAUGURATION.
formity with the teaching of the Church of England, several times
a week, and be, from time to time, examined on what they have
heard and learned.
And it will be well for Students who are attached to the Law and
Medical departments, though not required to reside within the walls of
the College, to attend the religious instruction thus afforded them as
often as possible — for such instruction is necessary to all men, to
sanctify their thoughts and actions, and qualify them for a higher
state of existence.
For the embodiment of the doctrines of Holy Scripture, as they
have been universally received in all ages by the Catholic Church,
and their adaptation to public worship and teaching, we point to the
book of Common Prayer as our guide — that is the whole Prayer
Book — the Creeds — the Catechism — Articles and Offices for the
Holy Sacraments, &c. — but in doing this, the Church of England
neither supersedes the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures,
nor adds to them, for they contain all things necessary to salvation ;
she merely seeks, in the most approved and certain manner, to lead
us to the right understanding of the Christian Faith. Hence we find
the doctrines taught by the Bible expressed, in nearly the same
words in the Prayer Book, and feel assured that we are in possession
of the truth. In no branch of the Catholic Church are the Scriptures
so extensively used in the public services as in ours. We hold the
Book of Revelation in special reverence, and no person can attend
on the ministration of our Church, for any length of time, without
becoming intimately acquainted with its contents.
Associated with the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, as has
been beautifully said, fits every fold of the human heart, and is felt
to be God's Book. It is also felt to be man's Book, because it
satisfies all our thoughts and feelings, and leads us willingly to receive
it as divinely authorised, and the scheme of human and divine things
which it presents as essentially true.
How comes it then, that this, the most precious of all books — the
rule of faith — the light that guides to eternal life, and which, till
lately, was revered by all professing Christians, is now excluded
from our schools and plans of education, or only doled out in shreds
and patches, and even these deprived of all vitality by the divorce-
of the doctrines — the sum and substance of revelation ? — We answer
that it is a fearful sign of the times, and of the prevalence of infi-
delity. It is true that some few of what are called the good and
wise of this world are not unfavourable to this proceeding, because
they are labouring under a delusion, and perceive not the hidden
purpose of the man of sin to deprave the heart — corrupt the moral
taste — and keep religion and the Holy Scriptures constantly out of
view. And yet no man can open the Bible with a sincere desire to
find it true, without being convinced that it is a revelation from God.
Does he look for a ground of veneration: — he finds it in an antiquity
unrivalled. Does he search for evidences of its truth — he meets
THE LORD BISHOP'S ADDRESS. 139
them in the testimony of miracles and prophecy — in the ministry of
men and angels — yea, even in God manifest in the flesh, blessed for
ever more. Does he ask for its authority — it speaks from heaven
in vision — in prophecy, directed by the Creator of all things, and the
giver of every good and perfect gift. In regard to its truths, we find
them lovely, sublime and holy, as God is holy. Are we anxious to
know what benefits it offers — all who read it will reply with one
voice, that humility, resignation, purity, order and peace — faith, hope,
charity, are its blessings upon earth.
Now, if we are really sincere in our Christian profession, we
ought to exert ourselves to the utmost of our power — nay at the
hazard of our lives— to remove this profanation and restore the Bible
to its true position in education from the first school to the highest
seat of learning. But if we stand aloof and surrender our children
to a system of instruction which not only excludes the Book of Life,
but places it under a ban, and permit them to be fed with the husks,
instead of the bread of Heaven, we are guilty of a serious offence
before God and expose ourselves to his just displeasure.
In Trinity College I trust that the Bible will ever occupy its true
place as containing the whole revelation of God, the source of all our
hopes, and the safe foundation of all our teaching.
In turning to you, my young friends, who are now about to com-
mence your studies in this College, time warns me to be very brief;
and it is the less necessary that I should detain you on this occasion
because, I trust, I shall have many opportunities of conferring with
you on your duties, hopes and prospects.
Suffer me to remind you that in this College you will enjoy every
facility and incentive to active exertion which you can desire — and
do not forget that the spirit of the times in which we live has pro-
nounced knowledge, power — and ignorance, degradation. Nor can
the youngest among you fail to perceive that he who wastes in idle-
ness the opportunities of early life, will lose caste in after years, and
fall back from the honourable companionship of his former associates,
and from the station in society which he might have claimed.
Above all, whether you pursue your studies with the view of
advancing in the several professions to which you are destined, or
merely for the cultivation of your minds, never omit to improve the
means of regulating your moral conduct and forming your hearts.
Hold fast the conviction that you are following the allotted path of
duty, under the guidance and protection of One with whom is the
result of all your labours, and under a deep responsibility to One
with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.
To you whose destination is the sacred Ministry, I would say :
To what nobler aim can you dedicate your faculties and acquire-
ments than to vindicate the great principles of our common faith, and
defend them from the assaults of infidelity.
Be not content with mediocrity — aspire to that eminence which
has been attained by the great preachers of other ages, the honoured
champions of the Protestant Faith.
140 THE INAUGURATION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, — This rising University has been hap-
pily named the child of the Church's adversity, because it is the
offspring of unexampled oppression — a solitary plant in a thirsty land,
which may yet suffer for a season, under the frown of those whose
duty it is to nourish and protect it. But the God whom we serve
brings good out of evil, and makes the wrath of man to praise him.
We therefore take courage, and feel assured that as he has smiled
upon our undertaking this far, he will bless it to the end.
In the meantime, I trust that Trinity College will henceforth be
affectionately recognized by every lay and clerical member of our
communion as the legitimate child of the Church, and entitled to the
benefit of their protection and daily prayers.
It must have been a gratifying consummation to the
Venerable Bishop's holy ambition, when concluding his
eloquent speech, he looked around and saw the crowning
efforts of his lifelong exertions participated in by many
whose earliest intellectual culture had commenced under
his own direction, over whose spiritual welfare he had so
long and successfully watched — and pardonable indeed
would it be, if amid the many emotions called forth by the
occasion, there was a mingling of mere human gratifica-
tion. Rarely has it been permitted to man thus to wit-
ness the fruits of his springtime labours brought to such
ripe maturity. Nor could he who succeeded the Venerable
Prelate in addressing the assemblage, have failed to parti-
cipate in many of the feelings thus faintly shadowed. Side
by side they stood, the master and the pupil — both having
compassed the highest attainable honours in their respective
professions, and sharing in the good work in hand.
The CHIEF JUSTICE, who was warmly received, spoke to
the following effect :
MY LORD BISHOP —
You have, my Lord, from the fullness of your heart, addressed
this assembly, on an occasion in which you may be supposed to feel
a stronger personal interest than in any other public event of your
life.
From the Venerable Archdeacon of York, and from the Reverend
Provost, we shall hear with pleasure the observations suggested to
THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S ADDRESS. 141
them by a day so full of encouraging hopes for the Church of Eng-
land and for this country ; and I trust I shall not be thought to be
assuming a part in this gratifying ceremony which does not properly
belong to me, if I venture, on behalf of a large body of my fellow
Churchmen in Upper Canada, to say some few things which I believe
they would desire to have said, in connection with the scene before
us.
And first, my Lord, I am persuaded that I speak what is upper-
most in the minds of all who are around me, when I assure your
Lordship of our cordial sympathy with those feelings which must
possess your mind when you look upon the building in which we
are assembled, and consider the occasion which has called us
together within its walls.
It is but a few short months since we saw the close of an anxious
and painful contest, of which I will only say that I believe that it
will some day be acknowledged that it would have been no less for
the advantage than the honour of this Province if it had had a
different termination. Many who, under the same circumstances,
would have felt not less keenly than your Lordship the disappoint-
ment of long cherished hopes, would have thought themselves well
justified if they had then given way to despondency ; and they would
probably have left to another generation the seemingly hopeless task
of endeavoring to procure for the Members of our Church in Upper
Canada the means of receiving a collegiate education, in halls
sanctified by the ministrations of her worship, and within which her
faith should be acknowledged, and her doctrines inculcated.
It was more consistent with your Lordship's character, as exem-
plified in a long and most useful life, to see, in the event I have
alluded to, no excuse for despondency, but rather a call for immediate
and more strenuous exertion ; and so promptly, and with such effect,
have your efforts been made, that at this very early moment we are
on the point of reaping their fruits.
It has been long ago said, in a noble spirit of philanthropy, that
it ought to be the aim of every man, while passing through life, to
leave behind him some enduring proof that he has not lived in vain ;
some useful monument of his labours, by which his name may be
favourably known to future generations. We thankfully acknow-
ledge that your Lordship, standing under the roof of Trinity College,
and in the presence of its duly appointed Professors, has fully
acquitted yourself of this debt to posterity, while it is at the same
time our peculiar advantage to know that as failures have not
deterred, so success will not slacken your services in this good cause.
There is no one, we are convinced, who can be so influential as
your Lordship in whatever remains to be done for placing this Insti-
tution on a secure and adequate foundation ; nor is there one of
whom all the friends of the Church can say, with so much reason,
that they are sure his utmost exertions will, to his latest moment, be
devoted to its service.
142 THE INAUGURATION.
Our prayer is, that it may be permitted to your Lordship to
witness, for many years to come, the growing usefulness of this seat
of learning, which owes its existence to your well directed perse-
verance ; and to assist with your countenance and advice those who
have been selected to lay the foundation of its system of instruction.
To these gentlemen we can readily believe that this day must be one
of anxious interest ; for they cannot but feel that our chief depen-
dance is on them, for the success of what has been undertaken in so
hopeful a spirit ; while on that success must again, in a great mea-
sure, depend the satisfaction and comfort which are to attend them
through the remainder of their lives.
We may be assured that those friends of your Lordship, who
kindly undertook in England the very delicate and difficult task of
selecting our first Professors proceeded under a deep and anxious
sense of the responsibility which attended it ; and that they were
most solicitous to acquit themselves faithfully of the trust. As one
of the College Council, appointed under the Statute, I may be per-
mitted to say that we acknowledge ourselves to owe them a great
obligation for the successful manner in which they appear to have
fulfilled it.
Of the higher qualities necessary for the discharge of such duties
as are to be performed here, I do not take upon myself to judge, but
there are others of which I can form an opinion, and which are so
far essential, that there could be no hope of success without them.
Speaking in reference to these, which will be understood to include
disposition, judgment, and discretion, I have sincere pleasure in
stating my conviction that the learned Professors, whose duties in
the Institution are to begin this day, will be found possessed of
excellent qualifications for the charge they have undertaken.
They are, I believe, as fully satisfied as we can be, that in those
who are relied upon for preparing the minds and dispositions of
youth for the business and duties of life, moderate exertion would be
no more suited to this time and country than moderate attainments }
and, on the other hand, it will be satisfactory to them to feel assured,
as they doubtless may, that they can in no other way so strongly
recommend themselves to the friendship and confidence of the
Members of the Church of England in Upper Canada, as by bringing
up the youth committed to their charge, to be zealous, faithful, and
undoubting Members of their Church, and firm and consistent sup-
porters of her rights — loyal subjects of their Queen, lovers of order,
cheerfully, and from principle, obeying the constituted authorities,
and the laws; and just and kind in all their intercourse with their
fellow subjects, of whatever class, — religious or political.
And it cannot but be most satisfactory to these Reverend Pro-
fessors to reflect that, not distracted or checked by considerations of
political expediency, they will be under no obligation to withhold
from God any portion of what they believe to be his true and reason-
able service, from deference to the dissensions, jealousies, or pre-
THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S ADDRESS. 143
judices of men, but can teach sincerely, and without reserve, as they
know they will he expected to do, " all things which our Church
instructs" us a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's
health.
I do not for a moment imagine it to be any part of my province
to offer counsel to our young friends who have just matriculated in
Trinity College. They will have better and abler instructors. But,
as it does sometimes happen that advice is more kindly received
when it does not come attended with authority, I will venture, in a
few words, to express my earnest hope that the young gentlemen who
will be sent here to receive the inestimable advantage of a sound
religious education, may at all times so conduct themselves as to
prove to their instructors that, in regard to disposition, deportment,
and moral conduct, the youth of Upper Canada stand in no disadvan-
tageous contrast with the youth of other countries, as, it is admitted,
they do not in point of natural endowments.
And, in particular, I trust they will bear constantly in mind of
what consequence it is that they should be careful, no less for the
sake of the College than for their own sakes, to repress all disposition
to insubordination, to vicious indulgences, or degrading habits, con.
vinced, as they must be, that while these cannot fail to bring discredit
on themselves, and the most bitter disappointment to their parents
and friends, they must also prove injurious to the reputation of this
College, and, in a great measure, frustrate the benevolent intentions
of its founders.
It may be admitted to be true that, in the course of the liberal
studies to which they will be invited within these walls they will
find some instances, (though they may be few in proportion)
of men in whom the light of genius will shine so brightly as to
be seen, though with greatly diminished lustre, through the un-
lovely mists which their vices and folies throw around them ; but
they will also find that those who, by common consent, are spoken
of as the lights of the world, and have been remembered from age to
age as the benefactors of mankind, were men to whom the restraints
of early discipline were never irksome, — who had no youthful
excesses to repent of, or youthful extravagances to deplore, but who
left the seats of learning, as they had left the parental roof, with
minds uncontaminated and characters unspotted. How enviable
the lives of such men, who, haunted by no reproaches for time wasted,
or energies abused, or faculties perverted, can look back with grate-
ful and affectionate remembrance on the years spent in their College,
as the period when the foundation was laid of an honourable career
in life, and of those Christian dispositions and principles which can
best afford to them a happy immortality, and best prepared them for
its enjoyment.
I have yet something to add, with your Lordship's permission,
upon the condition and prospects of this Institution, not however
descending to details, for which this would not be a fitting occasion.
T
144 THE INAUGURATION.
It must have been evident to all who have duly reflected upon it,
that the most formidable difficulty attending its establishment is the
difficulty of proceeding gradually in such a design, on account of the
necessity that exists for making the system of instruction sufficiently
comprehensive from the first. Whatever preference parentsinight
feel for the sound principle on which it is founded, it could not be
expected that, in order to sustain it, they would consent to place
their sons under present disadvantages, which could never afterwards
be repaired. An imperfect system of education would scarcely be
accepted at first, and would not be tolerated long. When we look
around us we see that, in all that regards public instruction, the pro-
gress is rapidly onward. The great efforts which our Legislature
has of late years made to improve and extend the system of common
school education, is a highly honourable distinction of the present
time. The revenue raised expressly for that object is large in pro-
portion to the population of the Province ; and the system of instruc-
tion which it supports is conducted with acknowledged ability and
zeal. The many Grammar Schools, besides, which are being estab-
lished throughout this portion of Canada, cannot but assist greatly
in raising the standard of intellectual attainments throughout all
classes of the community. It must follow as a consequence that
those who are to fill the learned professions, or who are likely from
their position or property to aspire to a lead in public life, will
require superior qualifications. If they are to be eminent, it must
be above those who will stand upon a higher level than the great
bulk of the people could before attain to.
There seems then to be a strong necessity for commencing at and
upon such a scale as shall be reasonably suited to the requirements
of an age remarkable for its rapid advancement, and wonderful dis-
coveries in the sciences and arts, and for the practical adaptation of
those discoveries to the useful purposes of life. And besides, the
pursuits of commerce have become of such increased importance,
its interests so varied, its arrangements so multiplied and complicated,
and the competition they give rise to so keen and so incessant, that
not only a quicker application of the faculties, but a much wider
range of knowledge, has become indespensable for those who are
engaged in the active business of life.
The professions demand higher qualifications. Wholly new
departments of science and of art have been created ; old errors have
been exploded, new processes and combinations adopted ; what a
few years ago were subjects of speculation and cautious experiment
have become established facts, and engage attention and claim obser-
vance in the current transactions of the day.
The Members of the Church of England cannot, if they would,
withdraw, for the sake of religious harmony and peace, into a
sequestered haven, and let the great current of human affairs roll by
them ; they must, like others, adventure upon the waters, prepared
to bear their parts, with the best equipments they can provide —
THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S ADDRESS. 145
studious above all things " not to make shipwreck of their faith,"
and, therefore, careful to take with them the chart which is to direct
their course.
Relying upon the blessing of Providence in so good a cause, the
Council has concurred with the Lord Bishop in going to the limit of
their means in appointing the scale on which the College is to com-
mence its operations ; and they feel it to be their peculiar good for-
tune that the faculties of Medicine and Law, for which they would
otherwise have been at present unable to provide, will at once be
placed on a highly efficient footing by the zealous services of
gentlemen whose experience and talents are most favourably known.
To sustain the College in this state, and gradually to increase its
efficiency, will require a hearty and very general co-operation from
the Members of the Church. And why should not this be looked
for?
We ought, perhaps, to congratulate ourselves that the course of
events, inauspicious as it has seemed to be to the United Church of
England and Ireland, has at least this effect, that it has led to the
establishment of this College, for the education of her sons in perfect
and unreserved communion with her faith — standing, in that respect,
on a footing more entirely satisfactory than King's College did, even
under its original charter.
That this principle of avowed and unreserved connection is that
on which such institutions can be conducted with the best prospect
of harmony and efficiency, seems to be a truth as clearly acknow-
ledged and acted upon by the other large religious communities into
which the population of this Province is divided as by us ; and
surely it would ill become the Church of England to be less earnest
in preserving the integrity of her doctrine, and the purity of her
worship.
Ours is no new faith. It is not from the Reformation that the
Church of England dates her existence. We are not separated from
other Christian communities in consequence of any recent adoption
on our part of a doubtful interpretation of some text of scripture, or
any modern scruple in regard to forms. Nothing else that we most
fondly venerate — not the glorious flag of England, nor the great
charter of our liberties, has, from its antiquity, so strong a claim to
our devotion as our Church. It is the Church which, from age to
age, the Sovereign has sworn to support ; centuries have passed since
holy martyrs have perished at the stake, rather than deny her doc-
trines; and the soil of England is hallowed by the dust of countless
worthies who have sunk to their rest professing her creed, and invok-
ing blessings on her labours, after lives illustrated by piety and learn-
ing, and devoted in the purest spirit to the welfare of mankind.
May the honour be conceded to Trinity College, in the progress
of time of having produced men who, by their learning and virtues
may establish as strong a claim to the grateful admiration of
posterity.
146 THE INAUGURATION.
The VENERABLE ARCHDEACON BETHUNE said —
MY LORD BISHOP, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
We have, as Christians, the peculiar comfort as well as advantage
of possessing the direction of Divine Revelation in the minutest points
of duty — in all the particulars that relate to the conduct of life, and
to the necessary preparation for eternity. And, as a part of this
benefit, it is highly important that, at a moment when even pro-
fessing Christians have fallen into so great a conflict of opinion upon
the subject of education, we should have the guidance of the Divine
will, communicated in the Bible, as to what the training up of an
immortal being should be considered to comprehend. The very
admission, indeed, of our immortality should be regarded as deciding
the character of the education we are to receive. Although much
of it must of necessity refer to what will qualify us for the ordinary
occupations of life, there should be an accompanying and habitual
training for that existence which is to have no end, and the main
enjoyment of which is to consist in the knowledge and love of God.
It is not necessary to explain how powerfully objects of sight and
sense operate upon infirm beings, placed, as they are, in the midst
of their seductions ; and how likely these are, from the connected
claims of present interest, to exclude the higher objects of faith. To
this we are to refer the wantonness of speculation, in which mankind
too commonly indulge in contemplating the claims of these respective
objects; and the preference they are led to give to what is visible
and present over that which is unseen and eternal. Hence the
disposition, too prevalent and unhappily growing, to regulate systems
of public education so as to bear exclusively upon the interests of
time, and to shut out, if not the knowledge, at least the recognition
of our position as immortal beings.
I have said that, amidst the doublings and contentions which these
comparative claims have begotten we are much favoured in not
being left to the imperfect light of reason, or to the native prompting
of the heart's affections ; but that we have the benefit of a heavenly
direction — the recorded injunctions and recommendations of the
Church of God from the beginning. In a far distant era of its history,
we are furnished with the Divine commendation of ABRAHAM'S
anxiety and care in the religious instruction of his household : " I
know him that he will command his children, and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and
judgment." We have the same duty embodied amongst the precepts
of the law as reiterated by MOSES: "And these words" — words
which referred mainly to obligations to fear and serve God — "which
I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach
them diligently unto thy children, and shalt lalk of them when thou
sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when
thou liest down, and when thou risest up." The royal DAVID'S
injunction was, " Come, ye children, hearken unto mej 1 will teach
ARCHDEACON BETHUNE'S ADDRESS. 147
you the fear of the Lord," And this was the well-known advice
of SOLOMON, the wisest of men : " Tiain up a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." That
the Jews so understood all this is evident from their custom, after a
steady preparatory training in childhood, more completely to instruct
their children in the obligations of the law at the age of twelve,
because they were considered amenable to those obligations at the
age of thirteen. This explains our Lord's being in the temple
amongst the doctors, hearing and asking them questions, at the age
of twelve; when their astonishment was expressed at his discrimi-
nation and judgment in proposing such questions, and his ability in
answering them.
That our Lord designed the training of children to be correspon-
dent under the Gospel dispensation, is sufficiently evident from these,
his own words: « Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Our Lord's
Apostles were not negligent in pressing the same duty, as their
epistles to the Churches abundantly testify — containing frequently,
amongst other practical exhortations, injunctions like these : " Chil-
dren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. And ye
fathers, provoke not your children to wrath ; but bring them up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord" We know, too, that
they bequeathed to their successors the same care and duty; and
we are well assured, at least when Christianity was permitted to
breathe from its trials of persecution, that this was a duty formally
included in the responsibilities of the Church. At an early age, we
are informed of the appointment of persons whose office it was to
instruct the catechumens in the first principles of religion, and
thereby prepare them for baptism ; and, although the highest orders
of ordained ministers sometimes engaged in this laudable service, we
read of an order of men specifically appointed to this duty, who had
never been admitted even to the lowest grade of the ministry of the
Church. In corroboration of this, we find the following comparison
in an early Christian writer: "The Church is like a ship; Christ is
the governor; the bishop, the pilot; the presbyters, the mariners;
the deacons, the chief rowers ; the catechists, to admit passengers
into the ship ; to shew them the conditions they were to perform —
viz., repentance, faith and*new obedience, in order to their admit-
tance into the Christian ship, the Church, in which they were to
pass through this world to the kingdom of heaven." We have
testimony also of the existence of schools for catechetical lectures
and Christian instruction, in various branches of the Church, as early
as A.D. 181 ; and of one at Alexandria it is specially said, that " it
was a school of sacred learning from ancient custom long before."
As an evidence of the connexion of these places of learning with the
Church, the proper guardian and director of all learning, we observe
an incidental allusion, in an ancient ecclesiastical historian, to Julian
the apostate, that, " in youth he frequented the Church, where in
148 THE INAUGURATION.
those days the schools were kept." It is recorded of Origen, one of
the most learned of the early Fathers, that he entered upon his
religious course in the catechetical school ; and a canon of the sixth
General Council of Constantinople recommends the setting up of
charity schools in all country churches.
Upon the long night of spiritual darkness which followed — over-
clouding the truth, and well nigh excluding the pure light of the
Gospel from the world — I need not here dilate; suffice it to say, that
those clouds were dispersed, and, in our own maternal land at least,
the beautiful structure of the visible Church was preserved in the
integrity of its proportions, while the superinduced corruptions of a
superstitious age were cleansed away. Yet we know full well how,
in the wantonness of that young freedom, many an innovation was
introduced, and many a holy usage abandoned ; and how, amongst
the abuses of this recovered liberty, there followed gradually the
abolition or decline of many systematic and national arrangements
for the maintenance of a religious education. In these latter days,
to render the education of the young a mere devise of the world,
bounded altogether by earthly views and interests — and so to trample
under foot the regulations of the heavenly wisdom — mighty efforts
have been put forth ; high powers of understanding have been
exerted ; the craft and seduction of appeal to the grosser and more
susceptible feel ings of mankind have been sedulously tried. Against
the strength of this warfare, Christians, duly instructed in Catholic
truth and practice, have had to gird on their armour and interpose
the shield of faith. A secular arid selfish policy has come in like a
flood against us, to overturn, if possible, all the ancient barriers set
up against unbelief and ungodliness. The blighting tendency of
such a system of unsanctified education cannot be denied or disputed.
For grant to it the full extent of the world's boastful assertion on its
behalf: grant that, in the phraseology of the mere utilitarian, know-
ledge is power, what more does it amount to than the ability of doing
more either of good or evil than other men — but with the chances
fearfully strong in favour of the evil, while no accompanying correc-
tion is furnished against the continual impulses of a corrupt nature
and a seducing world?
A systematic effort, sanctioned and encouraged by parliamentary
enactment, has been made in this Province to inculcate the same
pre-eminence of secular learning, and the same exclusion of that
which sanctifies all knowledge and renders it really beneficial to
men. But it is not my province, in an address like the present, to
dilate upon the character of our Common School system, nor attempt
to shew the extent of infidelity and ungodly living to which, in pro-
cess of time, if pursued upon its avowed principles, it must infallibly
lead.* Nor need I do more than allude here to the boldness of the
* I may observe here that the present Superintendent of Education in Canada
West, Dr. Ryerson, would avert this effect, if he could ; but such is unquestion-
ably the influence of the system.
ARCHDEACON BETHUNE'S ADDRESS. 149
impiety which, for the upholding of such a system, would endeavour
to abstract violently and in opposition to law and justice what has
been formally and solemnly given to God's Church as an inalienable
heritage ; which would ruthlessly seize upon the endowment wisely
and religiously set apart for the maintenance of the knowledge and
practice of Christianity, and employ the plunder in consolidating and
extending a character of education which must in the end overturn
the truth of the Gospel and supersede the Scripture rule of morality.
The great body of the people of this Province appear, however, to
be more and more sensible of the enormity of this wickedness; and
a protest has recently been expressed so boldly and unequivocally
against it, that we can hardly allow ourselves to believe that any
considerable number of our public men will be found daring enough
to attempt its consummation. Nor need I dwell upon the reiterated
attempts — at last, unhappily, successful — to strip our highest seat of
learning in this Province of its religious character ; nor labour to
prove the absolute need of a University founded and conducted upon
the principles of Christian truth. The zeal and liberality of our
venerated Diocesan have provoked many to unite in this noble
enterprise ; and the result of his unwearied services has been the
establishment of the Christian Institution of learning, on the opening
of which we are permitted to offer to one another our hearty,
congratulations to-day.
Enterprises like this, begun and prosecuted by individual exertions
and for the most part by individual liberality, must be expected to
have their struggles : the achievments of a private benevolence can
hardly be hoped to compare with those fostered by public patronage
and aided by regal endowment. But, contemplating our auspicious
beginning, we may hope for God's blessing upon the progress of the
good work. Here a foundation has been laid for a liberal and
scientific education ; but care has been taken that a knowledge of
God's word and a reverence for His commandments shall accom-
pany, step by step, the progress of those attainments which qualify
for usefulness and distinction in life. Catholic truth and Christian
ethics will be interwoven with all the lessons in science and art that
shall be imparted. And here, in quoting the words of an accom-
plished scholar and divine, Dr. Isaac Barrow, I shall best state the
obligation, which rests upon every aspirant to a liberal education, to
connect the study of theology with his literary pursuits: — " The study
of theology (he says) enlighteneth our minds with the best knowledge
concerning the most high and worthy objects, in order to the most
happy end, with the firmest assurance.
" It certainly and perfectly doth inform us concerning the nature
and attributes, the will and intentions, the works and providence of
God.
" It fully declareth to us our own nature, our original, our designed
end, our whole duty, our certain way of attaining eternal life and
felicity.
150 THE INAUGURATION.
" It exactly teacheth us how we should demean ourselves in all
respects piously towards God, justly and charitably toward our
neighbours, soberly toward ourselves, without blame in the world, with
satisfaction of our conscience, with assured hope of blessed rewards.
" It proposeth those encouragements, and exhibiteth assurances of
those helps, which serve potently to engage us in all good practice.
"And how (he adds) can we otherwise be so well employed, as
in meditation about such things'? What occupation doth nearer
approach to that of the blessed angels? What heaven is thereupon-
earth like to that of constantly feasting our minds and hearts in the
contemplation of such objects."
Apart from the paramount claims of heavenly truth, which of right
demands the devout attention of every baptized Christian, we can
foresee the highest practical benefits to society as the result of such
training. The teaching of an authorized ministry will thus, in the
leading and most influential classes of society, have a kindly and
well prepared soil to work upon; and the claims of our holy Church
will be presented to a generation with more than an hereditary pre-
possession in its favour. Evangelical truth would thus be proposed
to enlightened disciples; and the tenet of Apostolic Order will be
embraced from no mere bias of party, but from a rational and
settled conviction.
Co-operating with this faithful teaching, we shall reckon upon
ardent and patient learners. In the words of the distinguished
Christian scholar I have just quoted from — "To understand so many
languages, which are the shells of knowledge ; to comprehend so-
many sciences, full of various theorems and problems; to peruse so
many histories of ancient and modern times ; to know the world
both natural and human ; to be acquainted with the various inven-
tions, inquiries, opinions, and controversies of learned men ; to skill
the arts of expressing our mind, and imparting our conceptions with
advantage, so as to instruct or persuade others; these are works,
indeed, which will exercise and strain all our faculties (our reason,
our fancy, our memory), in painful study."
And here I may be permitted briefly to express my own high
satisfaction in being allowed this day to resign into the hands of
accomplished scholars and divines, a trust which, during a period of
ten years, I have, as Diocesan Professor of Theology, laboured to-
discharge, though with the consciousness of many infirmities, yet
with fidelity and zeal. My recent charge have become to-day
members of this University ; and heaven, I trust, will prosper both*
Our prayer will be united and earnest, that the pure stream of
" sound learning and a religious education" will issue from this
University and water far and wide the waste places of our land*
And it will be our prayer that Trinity College will, through all time,
attest its Christian character in the successive generations of scholars
that shall proceed from its walls ; that the banner of its alumni will
be the faith of Christ, and their watchword of duty, " Holiness to
the Lord."
PROVOST WHITTAKER>S ADDRESS. 151
The Rev. PROVOST WHITTAKER spoke as follows : —
MY LORD,
In receiving from the Archdeacon of York the charge which he
has so long and so successfully administered, I am reminded afresh
of the responsibility which attaches to the office, on the duties of
which I am now about to enter ; nor can I hope, except by patient
and zealous exertion, in any degree to supply the loss of his long
experience both in instruction and in government.
Nor, again, if I look to those ancient institutions of the mother
country, after the model of which we desire to form our own, and
observe how the duties which belong to my office are there distri-
buted among many teachers of the highest attainments in their
respective departments, can I refrain from feeling and expressing the
conviction that the necessity of the case alone justifies an individual
in the attempt to labour in so wide a field ;
Res dura, et regni novilas nos telia cogunt
Moleri ;
and I trust that the time may not be very far distant, when an addi-
tion to the number of those who bear office in our body may enable
each instructor, not to labour less, or more to consult his own ease,
but to labour with greater profit and success, in a department suited
to his peculiar capabilities, and more nearly commensurate with his
powers.
For it cannot surely be doubted that the good of others and the
improvement of their own minds is best consulted by those who are
led both by inclination and by opportunity to devote themselves to
some special branch of literature or of science, seeking excellence in
this one department rather than a superficial acquaintance with
many. This devotion to some principal study does by no means
imply, as many would seem to imagine, an ignorance of other
subjects ; for such is the natural alliance of the different objects of
intellectual enquiry, that great proficiency cannot be attained in any
one departmeut without involving, as a necessary consequence, a
large acquaintance with many others ; and, inasmuch as the collateral
information thus acquired is acquired for a specific purpose and
applied at once to its proper use, it is far more likely to be .retained
by the memory — to be thoroughly understood and justly appreciated —
than if it had been gained, as so much barren knowledge, in a hasty
and superficial survey of the department to which it belongs.
I have been induced to make these remarks because there appears
to be, in the present day, a tendency to encourage the acquisition of
an encyclopaedic knowledge — of a knowledge, necessarily slight, of a
multitude of subjects, and to question the wisdom of our forefathers
in restricting the pursuits of youthful students to a more limited
range. We cannot, however, doubt that they judged rightly in
prescribing classical and mathematical studies alone to those who
152 THE INAUGURATION.
are candidates for academical distinctions, not excluding indeed
instruction in other provinces of literature and science, but, in prac-
tice, reserving this instruction for those who had already completed
the appointed course of preliminary study. It cannot be doubted that
both mathematical reasoning and also the investigation of the structure
of language are, in themselves, most welcome exercises of the intel-
lect; nor, again, that a sound acquaintance either with mathematics
or with the classical languages prepares a man for the prosecution of
studies for which he would otherwise be utterly disqualified. More-
over, when we bear in mind the early age at which students enter
on their university career, and the brief period which it comprehends,
it can hardly be expected that they should do more — we should
rejoice if they are able to do so much — as to lay, either in mathe-
matical or classical acquirements, a solid foundation on which to
rear the superstructure of their maturer studies. The distinguished
prelates and lawyers of England, distinguished as ihey have been
also, in almost every instance, by high academical honours, may
surely furnish a practical demonstration, to those who doubt the
theoretical proof, of the adaptation of the system which has been so
long followed in our universities at home, to the great ends which
such rational institutions should subserve.
But it is time, my Lord, that I should advert to the peculiar object
which your lordship and others had in view in your generous and
unwearied efforts to found this College. It was your wish to estab-
lish, in the language of the bidding prayer used in our English
universities, "a seminary of sound learning and religious education,"
on which we might ask, without, presumption, the blessing of
Almighty God, " in order that there never might be wanting a supply
of persons duly qualified to serve Him both in Church and State."
For God is to be served in the state as well as in the church — the
layman needs religious education no less than the cleric — and our
church at home would perhaps have been spared many of the looses
and injuries she has experienced, had our schools maintained the
religious character which was given them when they were established
at the Reformation.
Every layman amongst us should surely, as a Christian, under-
stand the evidences of the Christian faith, and, as a Churchman, the
arguments for the peculiarities of doctrine arid discip'ine which
distinguish our Church from other religious bodies, in order that he
may he prepared to meet both the scoffs of the infidel and the more
subtle and specious objections of the separatist. Many, it is to be
feared, have concluded that no apology could be offered for the truths
of Christianity, only because they were riot themselves qualified for
being its apologists, or have witnessed with indifference assaults
upon the creed or the government of our Church, only because they
had never been taught to feel an intelligent interest either in Evan-
gelical Truth or in Apostolical Order. It is to be hoped that better
times are in store for us in this respect. We cannot but rejoice in
PROVOST WHITTAKER'S ADDRESS. 153
the increased zeal which the laity are discovering for the welfare of
the Church at home; and, as the foundation of this College is a
signal proof that a like zeal is felt here, so it is to be hoped that the
instruction given in this College may, through God's blessing, be the
means of extending among the members of our Church a just
appreciation of her claims and of their duties in respect of her.
But again, my Lord, it is an object of this institution, and, at the
moment, its main object, to supply the Church in this province with
duly qualified ministers. When we consider the vast importance of
this object, we cannot but regret that we should not have the oppor-
tunity of entering on this task with means more adequate to its
accomplishment ; yet would we speak in the language not of regret
only but also of hope, trusting that the Divine blessing will attend
any efforts, however feeble, to advance so excellent a work, and that
the good providence of God will in due season supply us with such
aids as we at present need. Much, no doubt, may even now be
effected, if zeal and diligence on the part of the instructors be met
by docility and steady exertion on the part of those who learn. The
brief season of preparation for the life-long labour of the Christian
ministry cannot surely be too highly prized, too diligently improved.
It must be remembered again and again in years to come, with pain
and self-reproach, if its advantages have been neglected — with heart-
felt satisfaction and thankfulness, if they have been improved. The
facilities which this time of preparation onvrs are so peculiar— its
opportunities so unlike those which men usually possess at any sub-
sequent period of their lives that they who are entering upon it
cannot be too earnestly admonished of the priceless advantages which
they enjoy — of the irrevocable hours which are rapidly escaping
from their grasp. There is an Eastern proverb which says —
Shape thou thyself for use; the stone lhat may
Fit in the wall, will not lie by the way;
and if this be true, as no doubt it is, of the general order of God's
providence in respect of His intelligent creatures — if men, who
duteously fit themselves for work, find fitting work to do— much
more may we believe that He, in whom Christians are "as living
stones, builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit,"
will graciously reward the faithful effort to make ourselves ready for
His service, and will find a fitting place of usefulness and honour in
His Church for every one who has prepared himself to occupy it.
Nor is it to be forgotten, that to the well-instructed, well-furnished
servant of Christ every place in His Church will be a place of use-
fulness and honour; that nowhere, where he is entrusted with the
cure of souls, can he possibly regret any amount of diligence which
he may have discovered in preparing himself for this high and
arduous duty. The usefulness and honour of any station assigned to
the Christian minister will be found to depend far less upon its
external circumstances, than upon his own intellectual and moral
154 THE INAUGURATION.
qualifications for the discharge of the momentous duties which, in
his capacity as a minister and dispenser of God's Holy Word and
Sacraments, must everywhere alike await him.
But, my Lord, there is another point to which it becomes me to
refer, not for the purpose of enlarging on what we regard as the
omissions and errors of others, but with a view to the recognition of
our own duty. The foundation of this College is a solemn protest
against the separation of religion from education — we have joined
together again what others had put asunder — and what, as we
believe, God joined together from the beginning ; and, in doing this,
it becomes us to acknowledge the obligation under which we live to
be true to our own professions. They who advocate truth and right —
especially if it be truth and right divine — must look to it that they do
not this unworthily. We are drawing a line of demarcation between
ourselves and others by inculcating the doctrines of the Christian
faith and by offering the prayers of the Christian Church within
these walls ; we must be careful then that this be no mere formal
distinction, but the basis of an essential difference ; we must look to
it that the doctrines which we acknowledge influence our practice —
that our lives be answerable to our prayers. The heartfelt recogni-
tion of Christian doctrines and of the precepts which those doctrines
sanction and enforce, can alone secure, on the part of the members
of this institution, a discharge of their relative duties. Statutes and
rules of discipline, however wisely framed, can only guard against
evil in certain forms — shut out specific offences ; if we would present
the aspect of a Christian community, we must look to higher laws
than these and reverence a higher authority, aiming at nothing less
than the purity, the integrity, and the courtesy of Christian morals,
setting before us no lower standard than that which the Apostle
prescribes :
" Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report ; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things."
And while this duty of realizing, so far as may be, the idea of a
Christian community is one which we owe, in common with those
who shall succeed us here, not only to those whose piety and charity
have founded this institution, but far more to Him whose good
providence has prospered and perfected their efforts, a special obliga-
tion seems to lie on us, who are the first to enter these walls — the
first to enjoy the resting-place which has been here provided for
learning and religion. A heathen moralist has said —
11 Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem
Testa diu."
And as his maxim is no doubt true, as it is applied by himself to the
character of an individual, so doubtless does it also hold good as
applied to the character of a community. A society has its youth,
PROVOST WHITTAKER'S ADDRESS. 155
and the character then stamped upon it — the tone then given it — it
will long retain. With us then, its first teachers and scholars, it
rests to give to Trinity College its prescriptive character ; to deter-
mine what shall be, in greater and in smaller particulars, its recog-
nized standard of morals and of manners; to give a tone to the
society which, if high, it may happily be difficult hereafter to lower,
but which, if low, it must be doubly difficult to raise. Our duty in
this regard can be fulfilled only by spontaneous action — by efforts of
free-will. Every member of our society must bear in mind that
with him it rests to contribute to the common welfare such services
as no authority can enjoin, no discipline enforce. By unconstrained
acts of deference and obedience towards superiors — of courtesy and
kindness to equals and inferiors — must we give expression to those
principles which should actuate us as Christian gentlemen. There
are duties of imperfect obligation ; instances in which we have to
decide rather between the expedient and inexpedient than between
the lawful and unlawful ; cases in which it would be unwise or
unjust to prescribe for others rules which we may yet most wisely,
most justly, prescribe for ourselves; cases again in which the moral
benefit of a rule depends principally, if not wholly, on its being self-
imposed ; and on our conduct in respect of all these must the
character of this institution, not only at present but in years to come,
materially depend.
While therefore our future, as members of this College, still lies
before us, as yet unstained by the sins and follies which, if God help
us not, must too surely mark it, let us crave that Divine assistance,
by which alone we can be enabled rightly to perform our relative
duties ; and as each day brings with it new trials for us, new claims
upon us, be it our repeated prayer to Him, "without whom nothing
is strong, nothing is holy," that He would increase and multiply
upon us His mercy ; that He would enable us, enjoying as we do,
as members of this body, the fruits of His providential care and of
the Christian liberality of others, in our respective stations therein
truly and godly to serve Him, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The building is designed in the Third Period of Pointed
English Architecture, or that style which prevailed in the
latter part of the fourteenth and beginning of the fifteenth
centuries, when the independence of the Anglo-Catholic
Church was restored and the great principles of the Refor-
mation were promulgated, about which time Pointed Archi-
tecture, which had previously been applied to the construc-
tion of ecclesiastical edifices, was first introduced in the
erection of buildings not strictly ecclesiastical; and, as the
colleges of England are considered the best specimens of its
introduction, it may be appropriately termed the Collegiate
Style.
Pointed English Architecture, in its purity of detail,
cannot be successfully applied to the construction of build-
ings in Canada., owing to the severity of the winters and
the prevalence of heavy thunder storms during the summer
months, which obliges the architect to protect his building
by projecting roofs, thereby preventing the adoption of the
square topped towers and battlements which form the most
pleasing features of this deservedly admired style. For
these and other practical reasons, a deviation from the plan
of a building erected in a more temperate climate can be
at once detected by the defects in its construction.
The principal difficulty therefore which the architect had
to contend with was the adaptation of Pointed English
Architecture to this climate, so as to combine ornament
with utility and economy. In this he has been tolerably
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. 157
successful, as the acknowledged beauly of the outline and
the undoubted originality and applicability of the design
are admitted by all those who have had an opportunity of
judging of it ; and it is highly gratifying to add, that this
will be accomplished at an expense not much greater than
would be required for an ordinary building of the same
dimensions.
(/ The portion of the building at present under contract, to
be completed this year, will include the whole of the front,
two hundred and fifty feet in length and fifty feet of the
east and west sides, affording accommodation in the several
class rooms for Divinity, Arts, Medicine, Chemistry and
Natural Philosophy, and separate rooms for forty-five stu-
dents, besides the Library, used at present as a Chapel, the
Provost's private residence and apartments for domestics.
From the rapid favour which the institution is winning,
it is already necessary to make provision for a greater
number of students, and to effect this, it is proposed at
present to furnish the medical department with extra-mural
accommodation, y
The whole building, when completed, will consist of a
chapel, library, refectory, museum, class and professors'
rooms for the several faculties, private residences for two
professors besides the provost's, apartments for eighty
students, and accommodation for domestics, enclosing a
quadrangle one hundred and seventy feet by one hundred
and twenty feet, to be laid out with walks and grass plots,
and a fountain in the centre.
The arrangement on the south side of the quadrangle,
which forms the front, consists of a centre building and
wings ; the west wing being the Provost's residence, with
an entrance on the side, in keeping with the rest of the
building.
158 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The principal entrance will be in the centre through a
handsome porch of cut- stone, and immediately over is a
handsome bay window and ornamented gable to correspond
with the porch. Cut-stone bay windows are also introduced
in each wing, with three light lancet windows and orna-
mented gables, in style of the centre building. At each of
the projecting angles there are octagonal and diagonal
buttresses, with canopies and pinnacles, and ornamented
with bosses, creepers and crockets.
The centre building is surmounted by a handsome turret,
which lights the library and is also used as a belfry. There
are smaller turrets on each of the wings, which, if not
important features in the design, are useful in lighting
the passages on the upper floor, and they will also serve as
ventilators during the summer months, the sashes being
constructed to open and close as may be found necessary.
The material is of while brick, made at Yorkville, near
this city; the eave mouldings, pinnacles, canopies, coping
and finishing round the windows and doors are of cut-stone.
The stone is imported from Cleveland, in the State of Ohio,
and corresponds well with the brick, being nearly of the
same colour.
The roofs are covered with slate procured from Whitehall,
on Lake Champlain ; and the external work throughout is
finished of the most substantial and durable materials, no
perishable substance having been used, except in cases
where it could not be well avoided without incurring
considerable additional expense.
On the ground floor or first story, which ranges from nine
to twelve feet in height, there are fifty apartments — four class
rooms, twenty-two by twenty-one ; twelve professors' rooms,
twenty-one by twelve ; matron's and servants' apartments,
and a large room, fifty by thirty.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. 159
On the principal floor or second story, which ranges from
ten to twelve feet in height, there are about sixty apart-
ments, including the entrance hall, thirty by twenty-four ;
refectory and museum, forty-five by twenty-nine feet each ;
pathological museum, twenty-nine by fourteen; medical
theatre, thirty-seven by twenty-nine; four class rooms,
twenty-eight by twenty ; five professors' rooms, twenty-two
by twelve ; waiting rooms and students' apartments. These
rooms are comfortable, and separately warmed in winter.
On the one pair floor or third story, which ranges from
nine to twelve feet in height, there are about seventy apart-
ments, including the library, which is at present used as
the chapel, forty-six by twenty-four; non-resident professors'
private rooms, and students' apartments, ranging in size
from eighteen by twelve to eleven feet square.
The whole of the apartments are not equally well
lighted, although ventilated and capable of being well
warmed, the majority of the rooms being provided with
fire-places. The foundations throughout are well drained,
and arrangements are being made with the Water Work's
Company to supply the building, the water being procured
at present from a well on the premises. As it is intended
to complete the terrace wall, which is elevated about five
feet from the surface and extending across the front and a
short distance along the sides, it will give an appearance
of additional height to the building, besides affording an
agreeable promenade to the students. The necessary
improvements in this respect will be undertaken as soon as
sufficient funds can be appropriated for that purpose.
In conclusion we would remark, that, when the difficul-
ties which had to be encountered and the short space of
time allowed for designing and completing the building are
160 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
considered, the whole has been accomplished in a very
satisfactory and creditable manner ; and, we would further
add, that in historical connection, general effect, arrange-
ment and architectural detail, the Trinity College building
will remind the connoisseur more of the " Old Country"
than any other building heretofore erected in Canada.
PROVISIONAL STATUTES,
UNTIL THE OBTAINING OF THE CHARTER;
I. OF THE PROVOST, PROFESSORS, ETC.
1. The Head of Trinity College shall be styled " The Provost of
Trinity College."
2. The Provost shall be a Clergyman, in Holy Orders, of the
United Church of England and Ireland.
3. The Provost for the time being shall be the Professor of Divinity
in the said College.
4. There shall be also for the present in the said College a Pro-
fessor of Classics and a Professor of Mathematics.
5. Every Professor of Arts or Faculties in the said College shall
be a member of the Established Church of England and Ireland, and
shall, upon his admission to office, sign and subscribe the Thirty-nine
Articles of Religion, as declared and set forth in the Book of Common
Prayer, and the three articles of the Thirty-sixth Canon.
6. Such and so many Professors in different Arts and Faculties in
the said College, as shall from time to time be deemed necessary or
expedient, shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto
for the time being, or by the Bishop for the time being of the Diocese
in which the City of Toronto may be situated ; and in case of any
division or divisions of the present Diocese of Toronto, then by the
Bishops of the several Dioceses into which the present Diocese of
Toronto shall be divided ; provided that, in the event of an equality
of votes, the senior Bishop, according to the date of consecration,
shall have a second or casting vote.
7. When the office of any Professor shall become vacant by death
or resignation, or by removal from office, the vacancy shall be sup-
plied by an appointment to be made by the same authority and in
like manner as in case of an original appointment.
8. The Provost of the said College, or any Professor therein, shall
be liable to be removed by the Bishop of Toronto for the time being,
or by the Bishop for the time being of the Diocese within which the
city of Toronto may be situated ; and in case of any division or
divisions of the present Diocese of Toronto, then by the Bishops of
the several Dioceses into which the present Diocese of Toronto shall
be divided ; provided that, when the votes shall be equal, the senior
Bishop, according to the date of consecration, shall have a second or
casting vote ; and provided also, that every such removal shall be
by instrument, under the hand and seal, or hands and seals, of the
Bishop or Bishops consenting to the same, which shall express the
cause of such removal.
162 PROVISIONAL STATUTES
9. The duties of the Provost and of the several Professors shall be
such as shall from time to time be declared by the Statutes, Orders
and Regulations of the College Council.
10. But no Rule, Statute or Ordinance shall be made or framed
by the College Council, excepting only such as shall be proposed for
the consideration of the said Council by the Bishop of the Diocese
of Toronto.
11. And the said Bishop shall be required to consult the Provost
of Trinity College and one of the Senior Lay Members of the College
Council respecting all Statutes, Rules and Ordinances to be proposed
by him to the Council for their deliberation.
12. The Provost and others the Professors, who may be appointed
Members of the College Council, shall rank before the other Members
of the Council, and shall take rank among themselves in the Council
according to the date of their appointment as Members of the
Council.
13. The Bishop of Toronto for the time being shall preside at all
meetings of the Council which he may deem it necessary or expe-
dient to attend ; and, in his absence, the Provost of Trinity College
shall preside at all such meetings; and, in the absence of the Provost,
then the Senior Member of the Council present shall preside.
14. The Provost shall reside in the College ; and it shall be his
duty to admit Students, to see that the Statutes, Rules and Regula-
tions of the College be faithfully observed ; to enforce discipline ; to
order and preside over College Exercises ; to have an active inspec-
tion over all the internal affairs of the College, and to regulate the
inferior officers and servants.
15. In the absence of the Provost, or during the vacancy of the
office, the Senior Professor in Arts shall have the powers and perform
the duties of the Provost.
16. The Senior Professor in Arts shall assist the Provost, when
called upon, in the performance of the duties above prescribed.
17. It shall be the duty of the Professors respectively to carry on
the course of instruction prescribed by the College Council ; and, for
the enforcement of discipline, they shall have power to punish
students by imposition, or by confinement to the College grounds.
18. Lecturers and Teachers in particular branches of education
may be appointed from time to time by the College Council, who
shall regulate their duties and emoluments.
II. OF THE BURSAR.
19. The Bursar, who shall also be the Secretary, shall be appointed
by the College Council ; and, for the faithful performance of his duties,
he shall give security to the satsifaction of the said Council.
It shall be his office to keep the College accounts, to inspect and
take care of the building, and report repairs to the Trustees ; to have
an immediate charge of the moveable property, and to superintend
OF TRINITY COLLEGE. 163
the Steward and inferior officers under the direction of the Provost ;
he shall account to the Council at the last meeting of Council in
each Term. His accounts shall also at all times be open to the
inspection of the College Council.
III. OF ADMISSION, TERMS, RESIDENCE AND STUDIES,
The College course shall consist of two parts — the first designed
for all Students, the second for those who intend to enter into Holy
Orders.
A.
REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN ARTS.
I. ADMISSION.
1. Candidates for admission must have entered upon their six-
teenth year. They must produce testimonials of good conduct.
2. They will be examined in Scripture History and in the Greek
Testament ; in some Latin and Greek authors ; in Arithmetic and
Algebra to the end of Simple Equations, and in the first two Books
of Euclid.
3. They will be required to subscribe to the following declaration
of obedience to the Rules of the College : —
" I (A. B.) do hereby promise and declare that I will, with God's
help, during my residence in this College, faithfully obey the laws
thereof, and diligently attend to the studies required of me.
"(Signed) A. B."
4. The Senior Professor in Arts shall then present each candidate
severally to the Provost, with these words : —
" Prsesento tibi hunc juvenem, bene quoad scio moratum et satis
doctum, qui inter alumnos nostros recipiatur."
And the Provost shall then admit each student in the following
form : —
" Ego auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te in Collegium S. S.
Trinitatis. Tu autem Deum timeto, Reginam honorato, virtutem
colito. Disciplinis bonis in hoc Collegio operam dato."
5. Students may be received into Trinity College from other col-
legiate institutions, on producing satisfactory certificates from the
authorities of those institutions. In cases where the rules respecting
residence and examinations correspond to those of Trinity College,
Terms which have been already kept will be allowed, and certificates
of examination accepted as proofs of proficiency.
Cases in which no such close correspondence exists between the
regulations of the respective Colleges, must be subject to special
arrangement.
164 PROVISIONAL STATUTES
II. TERMS.
1. The Academical Year shall consist of three Terms: —
MicJiaelmas, from the first Saturday in October to December
20th.
Lent, from January 10th to the second Saturday before Easter.
Easter, from the Saturday after Easter to July 1st.
During these Terms constant residence will be required of all
Students, except on some special ground to be approved by the
College Council.
2. Students will be matriculated at the beginning of Michaelmas
Term ; but Students may, on sufficient grounds, be admitted at a by-
term ; or, having lost a Term or Terms by illness, may present them-
selves at the Annual Examinations, on the understanding that they
afterwards keep the Terms wanting to their full number.
3. The ordinary course will extend over three years, and Students
who have kept all their Terms, and acquitted themselves satisfac-
torily in their Examinations, will then be entitled to a certificate from
the College, or, in the event of the College having power to grant
Degrees, to the Degree of B.A. ; subject always to the provisions of
the Charter.
4. At the expiration of three years after the completion of their
ordinary course, Students may present themselves for a further
examination in the higher branches of Arts, with a view to obtaining
a higher certificate or the Degree of M.A. ; subject, as in the case
of the B.A. Degree, to the provisions of the Charter.
Ill, RESIDENCE.
5. Students holding Scholarships will in all cases be required to
reside in College ; but other Students, whose parents live in Toronto,
may obtain a dispensation from residence, after special application
made for that purpose to the Provost; provided only, that such
Students are regular in their attendance at morning Chapel and
Lectures.
6. Students who live at a distance may apply for leave to reside
in College during the Short Vacations.
IV. STUDIES.
1. Lectures during the ordinary College Course will comprise —
(a). Divinity of an elementary nature, consisting of Bible
History and the Greek Testament, Evidences of Chris-
tianity, the Articles and Liturgy, and the outlines of
Ecclesiastical History.
(b). Classical and English Literature and Composition, History,
Logic and Philosophy.
(c). Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.
(d.) Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy.
OF TRINITY COLLEGE. 165
2. Students will be examined at the end of each Term on the
subjects of Lectures given during those Terms ; and at the end of
Easter Term in each year there will be a General Examination in
certain books fixed beforehand.
3. It will be necessary for all Students to have satisfied the
Examiners at each of the General Examinations before proceeding
to the next.
4. Students will be classed according to merit at each General
Examination, but the Class List will be published only at the Final
Examination.
B.
REGULATIONS FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS.
N.B. — The Regulations for Students in Arts will apply to Theological
also, except in so far as is otherwise ordered in the following
Regulations : —
I. ADMISSION.
Class of Persons admitted.
1. All Students of Trinity College who have passed through their
Arts Course and have obtained the College Certificate in the Degree
of B.A.
2. Graduates in Arts of other Universities.
3. All persons of the age of twenty-one, who, after having been
examined and reported eligible by the Provost and Professors, shall
obtain the recommendation of the Clergyman of their parish,
countersigned by a Bishop.
Rules of Admission.
1. Previously to admission, each Student must subscribe the
Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, as well as the Declarations made
by ordinary Students, if not previously signed.
2. Graduates in Arts of other Universities must produce certifi-
cates of their Degrees, as well as testimonials of good conduct.
3. Persons who have not passed through the Arts Course in
Trinity College, nor graduated in Arts in any other University, must
make a written application for admission fourteen days before the
day fixed for the Entrance Examination.
They must pass a satisfactory examination in the following subjects :
(a). Any one Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles in Greek.
(b). Scripture History.
(c). The Church Catechism.
166 PROVISIONAL STATUTES
(d). Some one Latin and Greek author, to be chosen by the
candidate from the following list : —
Virgil : JEn. i, in and vi. Homer: II. i, n, m,
Horace : Odes and Epodes, or
or Od. x, xi, xii.
Epistles and Ars Poetica. Euripides : Hecuba
Cicero : De Senectute or
and Medea.
De Amicitia, Xenophon : Anabasis i, n,
or or
De Officiis, Cyropcedia i, n.
Livy : Books i and n, Herodotus : i and n, or vin and ix.
or
xxi and xxn.
N.B. — This Examination will take place at the beginning of the
Lent Term.
II. RESIDENCE.
1. Theological Students will commence their residence at the
beginning of the October Term.
2. The period of study will in all cases be two years ; and no
certificate in the Theological department can be obtained within this
time.
III. STUDIES.
1. The course of instruction in this department will embrace the
higher parts of Divinity, a critical knowledge of the Holy Scriptures
in their original languages, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, the
Book of Common Prayer, Church History, with portions of the early
Ecclesiastical Writers, and such Ethical subjects as are now closely
connected with Theology.
2. Theological Students who have not passed through the ordinary
Arts Course may present themselves at the General Examination in
the Easter Term ; provided always, that they shall have acquitted
themselves satisfactorily in their own Terminal Examination in that
Term.
N.B. — It is hoped that arrangements will be made for giving the
Theological Students some practical acquaintance with parochial
duties.
OF DISCIPLINE.
1. Dress.
All Students will be required to provide themselves with a Cap
and Gown, according to a prescribed fashion ; or, being Graduates
of other Universities, may use the Gown belonging to their respective
Degrees ; which they will be expected to wear at Chapel, in Hall,
and at Lectures, also when they appear in public, unless beyond
certain limits hereafter to be defined. They must also procure a
Surplice, to be worn in Chapel at appointed times.
OF TRINITY COLLEGE. l6t
2. Chapel.
There will be Morning and Evening Prayers daily, according to
the rites of the United Church of England and Ireland.
Every person resident in College shall attend at such services,
unless prevented by illness, or some casual hindrance, to be admitted
by the Provost.
Strangers wishing to attend College Chapel on Sundays and
Saints' days must apply for permission to the Provost.
3, Lectures.
Public notice will be given at the close of each year of the subjects
of the Lectures for the ensuing year ; and particular notice shall be
given by each Professor of his Lectures during each Term.
N.B. — That a regular attendance at Chapel and Lectures is
indispensable to those who wish to keep their Terms.
OF EXPENSES.
1. The annual College expenses will be at the rate of J650
currency.
2. Students residing during the Christmas and Easter Vacations,
will be charged at the rate of fifteen shillings per week for board,
and two shillings a-week for fuel and lights.
3. Every Student, before commencing a Term's residence, must
have settled his College account for the preceding Term.
4". Every Student will be required to deposit in the hands of the
Bursar, at the beginning of each Term, the sum of £10 currency,
towards the payment of the expenses of that Term, and shall pay
the balance of the Term's expenses before the commencement of
the following Term. This Eule shall not come into operation until
he beginning of Michaelmas Term, ]Rfi2.
168 PROVISIONAL STATUTES
MEDICAL FACULTY.
PROVISIONAL RULES TO BB OBSERVED BY THE STUDENTS. IN MEDICINE.
1. Students in Medicine may either reside within the walls, or at
their respective places of abode in the city.
2. All Students who reside in College will be amenable to the
rules and regulations governing Students of Arts.
3. Occasional Students who reside without the walls will be
expected to comply with the same rules when within the walls,
except as regards the attendance at Chapel in the case of those who
are not members of the Church of England.
4. All Students intending to graduate must either take a Degree
in Arts, or pass the usual Examinations appointed for Students at
the University of Cambridge.
4. All the Students, whether matriculants or occasional, will be
required to register their names with the Dean of the Faculty, at the
commencement of each Michaelmas and Easter Term, and to observe
strictly all other rules or by-laws which may be passed by the Faculty
from time to time for the regulation of their studies.
RULES TO BB OBSERVED BY CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE 01 M.R
1. The ordinary period of Medical study will extend over Twelve
Terms, and the Students who have kept all their Terms, and acquitted
themselves satisfactorily in their Examinations, will then be entitled
to a Certificate from the College, or, in the event of the College
having the power to grant Degrees, to the Degree of M.B. orM.D.
2. All Candidates for the Degree of M.B. must produce evidence of
a. Having attained the age of twenty-two years.
b. Having taken a Degree in Arts in this or some other
recognized College, or having passed the Examination
styled " The Little Go Examination" at Cambridge.
c. Having attended not less than two courses of Lectures
during two Terms, upon each of tho following branches:
Anatomy and Physiology,
Practical Anatomy,
Institutes of Medicine,
Practice of Medicine,
Principles and Practice of Surgery;
OP TRINITY COLLEGE. 169
And one course of two Terms upon •
Materia Medica,
Chemistry,
Midwifery,
Medical Jurisprudence ;
And a course of one Term on
Practical Chemistry and
Botany.
d. Three consecutive Terms at least must be kept in this
College ; and no Certificate of attendance will be
recognized from any institution in which two subjects
are taught by the same individual, except in the cases
of Clinical Medicine and Clinical Surgery, which may
be taught respectively by the teachers of the Principles
and Practice of Medicine and of Surgery.
e. Having attended the practice of a recognized Hospital for
eighteen months, and some Obstetric Institution for six
months.
/. Having passed Examinations in all of the above subjects.
g. Having written and defended a thesis on some medical
subject, chosen by the candidate, and approved by the
Dean of the Faculty.
N.B. — Fees for Matriculation, Attendance and Degree, will be
regulated by the By-Laws of the Faculty.
THE DEGREE OF M.D.
This Degree may be taken at the end of two years, after taking
the M.B. degree, on similar terms to those in force at the University
of Cambridge.
So soon as the Rules have received the sanction of the Council
they will be published.
170 PROVISIONAL STATUTES OF TRINITY COLLEGE.
FACULTY OF LAW.
1. This Faculty shall observe the same Terms as are prescribed
for the Lectures of the other Faculties.
2. Every person shall be admitted to attend the Lectures of this
Faculty, upon and subject to the following Terms and Regulations —
that is to say, he shall pay at the time of his admission a fee of
£1 5s., which sum shall be the fee paid in each year for attending
the course of Lectures in that year ; and the same shall always be
paid at the commencement of each academical year, or at the time
in each year of the admission to the Lectures for that year : he shall,
on paying his fee, enter his name in a book to be kept for that pur-
pose, wherein, under a prescribed heading, shall be written by him,
at length, his name, his place of residence, and that of his parents if
he be under twenty-one years of age, the date of his admission to
such Lectures, his calling, occupation or present pursuit, and the
Church or form of worship which he belongs to or adopts : and he
shall further undertake to conform to and obey the By-Laws and
Regulations of this Faculty in respect of Students or persons
admitted to or attending at Lectures ; and
No one shall be admitted to the Lectures until he shall have
complied with these Regulations.
3. That the several Professors shall have power to maintain order
at Lectures, and to exclude therefrom or from the Lecture Room any
person or persons who, in the opinion of the Professors or of any of
them present, may be disorderly or guilty of any contempt towards
the Professor or Professors, or any other Professor or Officer in the
College, or who may violate any By-Laws or Regulations of this
Faculty, and to permit any such person to return to Lecture as they
respectively shall think fit ; and no person who shall be so excluded,
or who for any cause shall cease to attend at Lectures, shall claim
or be entitled by reason thereof to receive back a fee or fees paid
for admission to or attendance upon Lectures, or to be exempted
from payment of any fee or fees by him contracted to be paid for
such admission or attendance.
CORPORATION OF TRINITY COLLEGE.
THE HON. AND RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF TORONTO.
REV. H. J. GRASETT, M.A. GEORGE W. ALLAN, ESQ.
LEWIS MOFFAT, ESQ.
HON. GEORGE CROOKSHANK. HON. W. ALLAN.
HON. JAMES GORDON.
Council :
THE REV. THE PROVOST OF TRINITY COLLEGE.
PROFESSOR HODDER.
PROFESSOR VANKOUGHNET.
REV. PROFESSOR PARRY.
REV. PROFESSOR IRVING.
THE VEN. GEO. O'KILL STEWART, D.D., LL.D., ARCHDEACON OF KINGSTON.
THE VEN. A. N. BETHUNE, D.D., LL.D., ARCHDEACON OF YORK.
ALEXANDER BURNSIDE, ESQ.
THE HON. MR. CHIEF JUSTICE ROBINSON.
THE REV. H. J. GRASETT, M.A.
THE HON. MR. CHIEF JUSTICE MACAULAY.
JOHN ARNOLD, ESQ.
LEWIS MOFFAT, ESQ.
THE HON. JAMES GORDON.
THE HON. MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR SPRAGGE.
THE HON. ROBERT S. JAMESON.
JAMES M. STRACHAN, ESQ.
SIR ALLAN MACNAB, M.P.P.
CHARLES M'GRATH, ESQ.
(Dfftcers of tlje dollege.
PBOVOST:
REV. GEORGE WIIITAKER, M.A., QUEEN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
FKOFES60U OF DIVINITY :
THE RBV. THE PROVOST.
REV. EDWARD BT. JOHN PARRY, M.A., BAUOL COLLEGE, OXFORD.
PBOFISSOR OF KATH1MATICS :
REV. GEORGE CLERK IRVING, B.A., ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
FACULTY OP MEDICINE.
PBOFMSOBS:
Obstdria ............................ E. M. HODDER, ESQ., M.D., M.R.C.S., ERG.
Institute of Medicine .................. JAMES BOVELL, ESQ., MJX, M.R.C.P., Em.
Principles and Practice of Surgery ...... HENRY MELVILLE, ESQ., M.D., EDIS.
Anatomy and Physiology .............. N. BETHUNE, ESQ., M.D., M.R.O.S., Eiro.
Practice of Medicine .................. F. BADGLEY, ESQ., MJD., M.R.C.S. EDIW.
MaJteriaMedua and Therapeutic* ....... W. HALLOWELL, ESQ., M.D., M.R.C.S., Eour.
Chemistry ............................ -
FACULTY OF LAW.
J. H. HAGARTY, ESQ., Q. C.
THE HON. J. H. CAMERON, Q. C.
P. M. VANKOUGHNET, ESQ., Q. C.
TRINITY COLLEGE CHARTER.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of GOD, of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the
Faith. To all to whom these Presents shall come,
tt)Ijer€(l0 by an Act passed by the Legislature of our
Province of Canada, in the fifteenth year of our Reign,
intituled, " An Act to incorporate Trinity College," there
was constituted and established in the City of Toronto}
within the Diocese of Toronto, in our said Province of
Canada, a body corporate and politic under the name of
Trinity College, in connexion with the United Church of
England and Ireland ; which Corporation is by the said
Act made to consist of the Lord Bishop of Toronto, or in
case of the division of the said Diocese, of the Bishops of
the several Dioceses into which the Diocese of Toronto
might be thereafter divided, and also of the Trustees of the
said College, and of the members of the Council of the
said College, not to be less than three in number, which
said Trustees and the members of the said College Council,
it was by the said Act provided should be named in the
first instance by the Lord Bishop of Toronto, and in the
event of their death, removal from the Province, dismissal
from office, or resignation, shall be replaced by other
persons to be named in like manner, or in such other
manner as may from time to time be directed by any
Statute of the said College, to be passed for that purpose.
174 (TRINITY COLLEGE CHARTER.
H)l)erea0 it is by the said Act further provided
that the said Corporation of Trinity College shall, besides
other corporate powers and capacities necessary to the
well ordering of their affairs, have full power to make and
establish such rules, orders, and regulations (not being
contrary to the Laws of Canada, or to the said Act) as
they shall deem useful or necessary, as well concerning the
system of Education in, as for the conduct and government
of the said College, and of a Preparatory School to be
connected with, or dependant on the same ; and for the
management of the property belonging to the said Corpo-
ration, and shall have power to hold for the said College
real and personal Estate and Property, and to sell, alienate,
convey or lease the same, if need be ; provided that the
total yearly income from the property so acquired shall not
at any time exceed the sum of five thousand pounds of
current money of our said Province.
al00, that no rule, order or regulation
which sball be made and established by the said Corpora-
tion in manner aforesaid, shall be of any force or effect
until the same shall have been sanctioned and confirmed
by the said Lord Bishop or Bishops as aforesaid.
tt)l)er£(l0, since the passing of the said Act, the
Council of the said College have, with the sanction of the
Lord Bishop of Toronto, by their Petition to us humbly set
forth, that in pursuance of the provisions of the said Act,
Trinity College hath been duly organized, by the appoint-
ment of Trustees and of a College Council, and that certain
Statutes, Rules, and Ordinances have been made by the
said Council, with the approval of the Lord Bishop of
Toronto, and further that a suitable Building has been
erected, and a Provost, and Professors in the faculties of
Divinity and the Arts, and in Law and Medicine, have
been duly appointed, and are now engaged in the educa-
tion of a considerable number of Scholars, duly admitted
TRINITY COLLEGE CHARTER. 175
according to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Cor-
poration, and the said College being, according to the
intention of the said Act of the Legislature of our Province
of Canada, in strict connexion with the United Church of
England and Ireland, and supported wholly from funds
contributed by the members of that Church, and humble
application hath been made to us by the said Corporation,
and many of our loving subjects in the said Province of
Canada, that we would be pleased to grant our Royal
Charter for the more perfect establishment of the said Col-
lege, by granting to it the privileges hereinafter mentioned.
kttOtD ge ttyat tOt, having taken the premises
into our Royal consideration, and being willing to promote
the more perfect establishment within the Diocese of Toron-
to of a College in connection with the United Church of
England and Ireland, for the education of youth in the Doc-
trine»s and duties of the Christian Religion as inculcated by
that Church, and for their instruction in the various branches
of Science and Literature which are taught in the Universi-
ties of this Kingdom, have of our special grace, certain
knowledge, and mere motion, willed, ordained and grant-
ed, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs, and succes-
sors, will, ordain and grant, that the said College shall be
deemed, and taken to be a University, and shall have and
enjoy all such and the like privileges as are enjoyed by our
Universities of our United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, as far as the same are capable of being had or
enjoyed by virtue of these our Letters Patent ; and that the
Students in the said College shall have liberty and faculty
of taking the degrees of Bachelor, Master, and Doctor in
the several Arts, and Faculties, at the appointed times, and
shall have liberty within themselves of performing all
Scholastic exercises, for the conferring such Degrees, in
such manner as shall be directed by the Statutes, Rules
and Ordinances of the said College.
in order that such Degrees may be in due form
176 TRINITY COLLEGE CHARTER.
granted in the said College, Wt bo further will, and direct,
and ordain, that there shall be at all times a Chancellor of
the said University, to be chosen at and for such periods of
time, and under such rules and regulations as the College
Council, by and with the sanction and approbation of the
Lord Bishop or Bishops aforesaid, may by their Statutes,
Rules, or Ordinances, to be from time to time passed for
that purpose, think fit to appoint.
that the Chancellor, Provost and Professors of the
said College, and all persons admitted therein to the degree
of Master of Arts, or to any degree in Divinity, Law or
Medicine, and who from the time of such their admission
to suph degree shall pay the annual sum of Twenty Shil-
lings of sterling money for and towards the support and
maintenance of the said College, shall be, and be deemed,
taken and reputed to be members of the Convocation of the
said University, and as such members of the said Convo-
cation, shall have, exercise and enjoy all such powers and
privileges in regard to conferring degrees, and in any other
matters, as may be provided for by any rules, orders or
regulations of the said College Council, sanctioned and
confirmed by the Lord Bishop or Bishops as aforesaid, so
far as the same are capable of being had and enjoyed by
virtue of these our Letters Patent, and consistently with
the provisions thereof, and with the said Act of the Legis-
lature of our Province of Canada.
wt tDtll, and by these Presents for us, our heirs
and Successors, do grant and declare, that these our Letters
Patent, or the enrolment or exemplification thereof, shall
and may be good, firm, valid, sufficient, and effectual in
the Law, according to the true intent and meaning of the
same, and shall be taken, construed, and adjudged in the
most favorable and beneficial sense, and to the best advan-
tage of our said College, as well in our Courts of Record
as elsewhere, and by all and singular Judges, Justices,
I
TRINITY COLLEGE CHARTER. 177
Officers, Ministers, and other subjects whatsoever of us, our
heirs and successors, any mis-recital, non-recital, omission,
imperfection, defect, matter, cause or thing whatsoever to
the contrary notwithstanding.
jfn tDitw00 t»l)er£0f, we have caused these our Let-
ters to be made Patent.
tottne00 ©ttrself, at our Palace at Westminster,
the Sixteenth day of July, in the sixteenth year
of our Reign.
By Her Majesty^s Command.
EDMUNDS.
APPENDICES,
A.
EXTRACTS FROM DESPATCHES AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE
LANDS SET APART BY HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY KING GEORGE
THE THIRD, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOLS IN UPPER CANADA.
1.
Extract of a Despatch from the Duke of Portland to Mr. President
Russell, dated WhiteJiall, kth November, 1797.
His Majesty has taken into His Royal consideration the petition
of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, humbly
imploring " His Majesty that he would be graciously pleased to
direct His Government in this Province to appropriate a certain
portion of the waste lands of the Crown as a fund for the estab-
lishment and support of a respectable Grammar School in each
district thereof, and also of a College or University for the
instruction of youth in the different branches of liberal know-
ledge," and being always ready to shew his parental regard for
the welfare of his subjects in the furtherance of so important an
object as the instruction of youth, and to assist and encourage
the exertions of his Province in laying the foundation for pro-
moting sound learning and a religious education, he has con-
descended to express his most gracious intention to comply with
the wishes of the Legislature of his Province of Upper Canada
in such manner as shall be judged to be most effectual.
First, by the establishment of Free Grammar Schools in those
districts in which they are called for, arid in due process of time
by establishing other seminaries of a larger and more compre-
(2)
hensive nature for tlie promotion of religious and moral learning
and the study of the arts and sciences. With this view, I am to
direct you to consult the members of His Majesty's Executive
Council, and the Judges and Law Officers of the Crown in
Upper Canada, and report to me, in what manner and to what
extent a portion of the Crown Lands may be appropriated and
rendered productive towards the formation of a fund for the
above purposes, out of which His Majesty may according to his
pleasure allot such salaries as he shall judge proper for the
school-masters of such free schools, who are to be appointed by
His Majesty Governor, or the person administering his Majesty's
Government within the Province for the time being, subject to
His Majesty 's approbation, signified through one of his principal
Secretaries of State.
2.
Circular from tlie Honourable Mr. President Russell to His
Majesty's Executive Council, and the Judges and Law Officers
of the Crown, in Upper Canada.
Council Chamber, 6th November, 1798.
Sir, — Having received directions from the Duke of Portland,
one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to consult the
members of His Majesty's Executive Council, and the Judges
and Law Officers of the Crown in Upper Canada, and report to
His Grace, in what manner, and to what extent, a portion of the
waste lands of the Crown may be appropriated and rendered
productive towards the formation of a fund for the establishment
of free Grammar Schools in those districts in which they are
called for, and in due process of time by establishing seminaries
of a larger and more comprehensive nature for the promotion of
religion and moral learning, and the study of the arts and
sciences ; out of which His Majesty may, according to his
pleasure, allot such salaries as he shall judge proper for the
school-masters of such free Schools, who are to be appointed by
His Majesty's Governor, or the person administering His Ma-
jesty's Government, subject to his Majesty's approbation.
I am to request you will be pleased to meet the Chief Justice
and the members of His Majesty's Executive Council, at the
Council Chamber, on Friday the 9th instant, for the purpose of
taking the above subject into your consideration, and reporting
to me your opinions thereon, that I may transmit them to the
Duke of Portland for His Majesty's information.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) PETER RUSSELL.
(3)
T)ve Report of His Majesty's Executive Council and the Judges
and Law Officers of the Crown.
Council Chamber, 1st Dec., 1798.
Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that in obedience to
your order of the 6th ultimo, the members of His Majesty's
Executive Council, the Judges and Law Officers of the Crown,
met together in this place on the nineteenth ultimo, and on
several occasions since, and took into their consideration the
letter of His Grace the Duke of Portland 011 the establishment of
Grammar Schools and other places of Education in the Province.
It is not to be expected, that on a subject of such extent, the
opinions of so many persons as were assembled to consider of it,
should exactly coincide ; I have, however, the satisfaction to
say, that in our general views of the system to be adopted we
are nearly agreed, and that the difference with respect to the
mode in which it is to be carried into effect, is not very con-
siderable.
As it was your Honour's pleasure that the Chairman should
collect the opinions of the several members of the Board, and
digest them into one report, I took the liberty of distributing the
subject into the five following heads, and of requesting their
thoughts on each, viz. : —
1st. The sum to be raised. 2nd. The number of acres to be
appropriated. 3rd. The purposes to which the fund is to be
applied. 4th. The number of Schools and places where they
are to be erected. 5th. The number now necessary.
It is now my duty to state to your Honour the general result
of the whole, and should I either misrepresent the sentiments of
the Board, or fail to give the effect they deserve, I trust that your
Honour will impute the blame to me only, and do justice to the
several members by referring to the opinions of each, which I
have su joined by way of schedule.
When the subject was first opened, it seemed to be the unani-
mous opinion that the intention of the Royal founder of the
free Grammar Schools and University of Upper Canada could
not be effectuated, but by a liberal provision for their establish-
ment and maintenance, and each member of the Board seemed
deeply impressed with a conviction that in making his estimate
of the extent of that provision, it would be much safer to allow
too much than too little ; for as the application of the funds will
always be directed by the beneficent wisdom which has created
it, the excess may at any time be applied to other purposes,
equally worthy of the original intention, and equally conducive
to the happiness of the Province ; but it will be difficult and
perhaps impossible, if the present moment be neglected, to find at
a future period the means of effecting the object before us, with-
out much expense and a delay almost subversive of the purpose.
Under this impression, the Board proceed to consider in detail
the purposes to which the proposed fund should, when raised, be
applied, and seemed to be unanimous in thinking that they may
be reduced to three :
1st. The erection of the necessary buildings ;
2nd. The payment of the salaries of the masters ;
3rd. The keeping of the buildings in repair, the purchase
of books and philosophical apparatus, and other purposes essential
to places of education, but in general too costly to be provided
by individuals.
1st. With respect to the sum to be expended on the erection
of the necessary buildings, the Board conceived that, in taking
the average price of labour in the four Districts of the Province,
the sum of £3000, provincial currency will be sufficient to erect
a plain but solid and substantial building, containing a school
room sufficient to hold an hundred boys, without danger to their
health from too many being crowded together ; and also a set of
apartments for the master, large enough not only for the accom-
modation of his family, but also for the very desirable purpose of
enabling him to take a few of his pupils as boarders. Some few
outbuildings may also be necessary, for the use of the master,
which, if they will not come within this estimate, will not much
exceed it, and may easily be provided for hereafter.
2nd. As the extent of the salaries of the masters is expressly
reserved for the Royal consideration, we do not presume to
mention any particular sum as sufficient for that purpose ; but,
as it is necessary for us in making our estimate to calculate
upon some given sum, and as His Excellency the Lieutenant
Governor thought the sum of JG100 provincial currency a
sufficient allowance for the master of the school erected under
his auspices at Kingston, — we beg leave to take that sum
as the average for the salary of the masters of each school, and
half of it for the salary of an under-master, in case it should be
thought expedient to have one.
3rd. The sum of £30 per annum seems to be a sufficient sum
for keeping the building in repair ; the provision for the purchase
of books, philosophical apparatus, &c., relates to the endowment
of the University rather than to that of the Grammar School, and
is only mentioned that it may not appear to have been forgotten
in our calculation.
It appeared, therefore, to be the general opinion of the Board,
that a sum not exceeding J63000, provincial currency, and an
annual income of £180, will be amply sufficient for the establish-
ment and support of a free Grammar School in each District.
The next object was to consider the mode by which that sum
and that income are to be raised.
(M
With respect to the former, the Board had but one opinion,
viz., that it can only be raised by the sale of part of the waste
lands of the Crown. If the institutions in question are to be
deferred, until they can be provided for from the annual income
of any quantity of land that can be appropriated for them, they
will be deferred either until they have been superseded by other
institutions, or until four or five generations of ignorance and vice
have rendered them useless.
The annual income must equally be derived from the waste
lands of the Crown, and may, in the apprehension of the Board,
be raised by one or other of the four following modes :
1st. By the sale of so much of those lands as will raise a
sum which, if invested in the British funds, will produce
the sum of £ 180 as interest.
2nd. By reserving such a portion of those lands as, when
leased, will produce that sum as rents.
3rd. By appropriating to the same purpose such parts of the
present Crown Reserves as are capable of yielding a
present rent ; or,
4th. By selling a portion of the waste lands of the Crown
(always distinguishing between waste lands of the Crown
and Crown Reserves) and laying out the proceeds in the
purchase of lands which, from their quality, local situa-
tion, or state of cultivation, either yield or may be made
to yield a present rent.
On each of these modes the Board begs leave to submit the
following considerations :
With respect to the first, it observes that, besides the disad-
vantage of the daily decreasing value of an income which is to
be applied to a permanent purpose — and which arises from
money or which is reserved in money ; it will require the sale
of a quantity of land, considerably beyond any that the Board
would venture to mention, to raise a sum which, at the rate of
five per cent, per annum, would yield the sum of £180 as
interest. For we conceive it to be generally, though perhaps
not universally true, that whenever lands in this country are
capable, from quality, situation or any other circumstance, of
yielding a rent, a capital laid out in the purchase of those lands
is much more productive than one lent at interest on either
private or public security, and there is this additional advantage
on the side of the former, that both the real and the nominal
value of rent will increase with the increasing prosperity of the
country, while the real value of interest decreases with the
decreasing value of money, in a proportion to which the increase
of our prosperity is not a counterbalance. The Board, therefore,
considers this mode of raising the income required as wholly out
the question.
Of the remaining three modes the Board considers that which
(6)
proposes to provide the necessary income, by reserving for the
use of these institutions a certain portion of the waste lands of
the Crown, and leasing them for a rack-rent, as incomparably
the best ; both because it is the cheapest, and because it leaves
the funds of Crown Reserves, from which the other public
purposes of the Province may hereafter be supplied, untouched ;
but it is certain that the present circumstances of the Province
do not authorise us to expect much income from such a source
for some years at least. It may therefore be necessary to break
in upon the Crown Reserves, and to appropriate such of them as
are now capable of yielding rent to the present purpose ; and
should the fund, even after this assistance, be still inadequate,
nothing will remain but to recur to the fourth of the proposed
modes, and to lay out a part of the sum arising from the sales in
the purchase of lands capable of producing the income required.
The object which next engaged the attention of the Board was
to consider in what parts of the several Districts of the Province
the proposed schools and seminary should be erected. On this
point we were unanimous in thinking that the towns of Corn-
wall, Kingston, Newark and Sandwich, are the most proper
places for the sites of the four schools. We are equally unanimous
in considering the town of York as entitled to the University,
both as being the seat of the Executive Government, the Legis-
lature, and the Courts of Justice, and as being by far the most
convenient spot in the Province for all general purposes, its situa-
tion being nearly central, and besides its accessibility by water,
the proposed high road from the one end of the Province to the
other being necessarily to pass through it or near it.
There was not the same coincidence of opinion with respect to
the number of schools which the several members of the Board
consider as now necessary. Each part of the Povince seemed to
have its claims, and might consider itself as injured if it were
postponed to any other : some of the gentlemen were of opinion
that four schools were now necessary, and that the whole
number should be begun at the same time ; others thought that
besides the necessity of managing the fund in the most frugal
manner, the present circumstances of the Province do not call for
the erection of more than two schools, and that if the situations
of these two are obviously selected, not with a view to any par-
ticular District, but to the Province at large, there will be no
room for any jealousy among the several parts of it. After some
discussion this opinion was acceeded to, and the towns of
Kingston and Newark were selected, the former for the Eastern
and the latter for the western half of the Province. But it was
at the same time stipulated and agreed that, as soon as the fund
should be sufficiently productive, the towns of Cornwall and
Sandwich shall each receive a similar mark of the royal munifi-
cence.
(7)
Nothing now remains but that I should state to your Honour
the extent of the appropriation of waste lands, which in the con-
ceptions of the members of the Board, is necessary for the
purpose in question, and on this subject I am happy to say that
our calculations approach as nearly to each other as could rea-
sonably be expected.
I believe I may state it as our unanimous opinion, that the
appropriation should cover such .a portion of the waste lands of
the Crown, as, if now sold, would produce the sum of £ 18,000
provincial currency, estimating the present average price of land
at about 9d. per acre, the quantity required will be nearly
500,000 acres, or ten townships, after the deduction of the Crown
and Clergy sevenths.
It is obvious that if the four schools are all erected imme-
diately,— and the allowance which our estimate proposes for
them is not extravagant, — a much larger sum than that which I
have mentioned will be necessary, and consequently a much
larger appropriation must be made. But in the manner in which
we propose that the fund should be managed, we conceive that
the quantity above mentioned will not only be amply sufficient
for the establishment and support of the four schools, but will be
nearly if not quite adequate to the erection and endowment of
the University which the Royal bounty has promised to provide
for us, whenever the advancement of the Province calls for such
an institution.
Having trespassed so long upon your Honours time and
attention, I shall not trouble you with the detail of the manner
in which we conceive that the proposed fund should be man-
aged, because I hope that it will be sufficiently apparent from the
following resolutions, into which the Board has condensed all
that it has to oner on the interesting and important subject which
has engaged it : I have therefore the honour to inform you that
the members of His Majesty's Executive Council, the Judges
and the Law Officers of the Crown, after much reflection and
deliberation on the matter referred to them, are of opinion :
1st. That an appropriation of 500,000 acres, or ten townships,
after deducting the Crown and Clergy sevenths, will be a
sufficient fund for the establishment and maintenance of the
royal foundation of four Grammar Schools and an University in
the Province of Upper Canada.
2nd. That the present circumstances of the Province call for
the erection of two of those schools, one at the town of Kingston,
the other at the town of Newark.
3rd. That for the purpose of building a plain but solid and
substantial house, containing a school-room sufficient to contain
100 boys, and apartments for the master, large enough for the
accommodation of a moderate family and the reception of from
ten to twenty boys as boarders, the sum of JS3000 provincial
currency for each will be a sufficient allowance.
(8)
4th. That for the purpose of raising that sum a portion of the
appropriation be sold in the manner directed by his Grace the
Duke of Portland with respect 1o the other waste lands of the
Crown.
5th. That for the purpose of defraying the salaries of a master
and under-master, in case an under-master should be thought
necessary, and also for the purpose of keeping the buildings in
repair, and making such additions thereto as circumstances shall
require, the annual sum of £180 provincial currency for each
school, will be a sufficient allowance.
6th. That in order to raise this annual sum, such parts of the
waste lands of the Crown in the different parts of the Province
be selected, as from the quality of the soil, or from their local
situation, are most likely to yield an annual rent — and that they
be leased in the manner heretofore recommended by His Ma-
jesty's Executive Council with respect to the Crown and Clergy
Reserves.
7th. That if the income arising from the lands so reserved and
leased be insufficient for the purposes above mentioned, a similar
selection be made from the Crown Reserves.
8th. That if, after this addition, the fund be still insufficient,
a further portion of the appropriated land be sold, and the money
arising from the sale invested in the purchase of other lands so
situated as to yield a present rent.
9th. That whenever the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or
person administering the Government, in Council, shall be of
opinion that the circumstances of the Province call for the erec-
tion of two other schools, and also that the appropriation fund is
sufficient not only to bear the expense of the erection and endow-
ment of those two schools, but also to leave a residue sufficient
for the establishment and future maintenance of a seminary of a
larger and more comprehensive nature, the same steps be pur-
sued \vith respect to such two schools as have been recommended
with respect to the two schools at Kingston and Newark.
10th. That the provision for the establishment and mainte-
nance of the University be at least equal to that of the four
schools taken together.
I have the honour to be,
&c. &c. &c.,
(Signed) J. ELMSLEY, C. J.
I perfectly accord with this Report in all its parts.
(Signed) PETER RUSSELL, President.
B.
THE CHARTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KING'S COLLEGE, AT YORK,
IN UPPER CANADA.
GEORGE THE FOURTH, by the grace of God, of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of
the Faith, and so forth :
To all to whom these presents shall come, —
GREETING I
WHEREAS the establishment of a COLLEGE within our PROVINCE
of UPPER CANADA in NORTH AMERICA for the EDUCATION of
YOUTH, in the PRINCIPLES of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION, and for
their instruction in the various branches of Science and Lite-
rature which are taught in our Universities in this Kingdom,
would greatly conduce to the welfare of our said Province :
And whereas humble application hath been made to Us by many
of our loving subjects in our said Province, that we would
be pleased to grant our Royal Charter for the more perfect estab-
lishment of a College therein, and for incorporating the members
thereof for the purposes aforesaid ; Now know ye, that We, having
taken the premises into our Royal consideration, and duly
weighing the great utility and importance of such an Institution,
have, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion,
ordained and granted, and do by these presents, for Us, our heirs
and successors, ordain and grant, that there shall be established
at or near our town of York, in our said Province of Upper
Canada, from this time one College, with the style and privileges
of an University, as hereinafter directed, for the education and
instruction of youth and students in arts and faculties, to continue
for ever, to be called " KING'S COLLEGE."
And We do hereby declare and grant, that our trusty and
well-beloved, the Right Reverend Father in God, Charles James,
Bishop of the Diocese of Quebec, or the Bishop for the time being
of the Diocese in which the said town of York may be situate,
on any future division or alteration of the said present Diocese of
Quebec, shall for Us and on our behalf be Visitor of the said
College ; and that our trusty and well-beloved Sir Peregrine
Maitland, our Lieutenant-Governor of our said Province, or the
Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or other person administering
the Government of our said Province for the time being, shall be
the Chancellor of our said College.
b
(10)
And we do hereby declare, ordain and grant, that there shall
at all times be one President of our said College, who shall be a
Clergyman in Holy Orders of the United Church of England and
Ireland ; and that there shall be such and so many Professors in
different arts and faculties within our said College, as from time
to time shall be deemed necessary or expedient, and as shall be
appointed by us, or by the Chancellor of our said College in our
behalf and during our pleasure.
And We do hereby grant and ordain, that the Reverend John
Strachan, Doctor in Divinity, Archdeacon of York, in our said
Province of Upper Canada, shall be the first President of our said
College ; and the Archdeacon of York in our said Province for
the time being shall, by virtue of such his office, be at all times
the President of the said College.
And We do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, will,
ordain, and grant, that the said Chancellor and President, and
the said Professors of our said College, and all persons who shall
be duly matriculated into and admitted as scholars of our said
College, and their successors, for ever, shall be one distinct and
separate body politic, in deed and in name, by the name and
style of " The Chancellor, President and Scholars of King's
College, at York, in the Province of Upper Canada ;" and that
by the same name they shall have perpetual succession and a
common seal ; and that they and their successors shall from time
to time have full power to alter, renew, or change such common
seal at their will and pleasure, and as shall be found convenient ;
and that by the same name they, the said Chancellor, President,
and scholars, and their successors, from time to time and at all
times hereafter, shall be able and capable to have, take, receive,
purchase, acquire, hold, possess, enjoy and maintain, to and for
the use of the said College, any messuages, lands, tenements and
hereditaments of what kind, nature, or quality soever, situate and
being within our said Province of Upper Canada, so as that the
same do not exceed in yearly value the sum of fifteen thousand
pounds, sterling, above all charges ; and moreover, to take, pur-
chase, acquire, have, hold, enjoy, receive, possess and retain, all
or any goods, chattels, charitable or other contribution, gifts, or
benefactions whatsoever.
And We do hereby declare and grant, that the said Chancellor,
President and Scholars, and their successors, by the same name,
shall and may be able and capable in law to sue and be sued,
implead and be impleaded, answer or be answered, in all or any
court or courts of record within our United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, and our said Province of Upper Canada and
other our dominions, in all and singular actions, causes, pleas,
suits, matters, and demands whatsoever, of what nature or kind
soever, in as large, ample, and beneficial a manner and form as
any other body politic and corporate, or any other our liege sub-
(11)
jects, being persons able and capable in law, may or can sue,
implead, or answer, or be sued, impleaded, or answered, in any
manner whatsoever.
And We do hereby declare, ordain and grant, that there shall
be within our said College or Corporation a Council, to be called
and known by the name of " The College Council ;" and we do
will and ordain that the said Council shall consist of the Chan-
cellor and President for the time being, and of seven of the
Professors in arts and faculties of our said College ; and that such
seven Professors shall be members of the Established United
Church of England and Ireland ; and shall, previously to their
admission into the said College Council, severally sign and sub-
scribe the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, as declared and set
forth in the Book of Common Prayer ; and in case at any time
there should not be within our said College seven Professors of
arts and faculties, being members of the Established Church
aforesaid, then our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby grant
and ordain, that the said College Council shall be filled up to the
requisite number of seven, exclusive of the Chancellor and Presi-
dent for the time being, by such persons, being graduates of our
said College, and being members of the Established Church
aforesaid, as shall for that purpose be appointed by the Chancellor
for the time being of our said College ; and which members of
Council shall in like manner subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles
(aforesaid, previously to their admission into the said College
Council.
Arid whereas it is necessary to make provision for the com-
pletion and filling up of the said Council at the first institution of
our said College, and previously to the appointment of any Pro-
fessors, ojr the conferring of any degrees therein : now we do
further ordain and declare, that the Chancellor of our said Col-
lege for the time being shall, upon or immediately after the first
institution thereof, by warrant under his hand, nominate and
appoint seven discreet and proper persons, resident within our
said province of Upper Canada, to constitute, jointly with him,
the said Chancellor, and the President of our said College, for the
time being, the first or original Council of our said College ;
which first or original members of the said Council shall in like
manner respectively subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles aforesaid,
previously to their admission into the said Council.
And We do further declare and grant, that the members of the
said College Council, holding within our said College the offices
of Chancellor, President or Professor in any art or faculty, shall
respectively hold their seats in the said Council so long as they
and each of them shall retain their offices as aforesaid, and no
longer ; and that the members of the said Council, not holding
offices in our said College, shall from time to time vacate their
seats in the said Council, when and so soon as there shall be an
(12)
adequate number of professors in our said College, being mem-
bers of the Established Church aforesaid, to fill up the said
Council to the requisite number before mentioned.
And We do hereby authorise and empower the Chancellor, for
the time being, of our said College, to decide in each case what
particular member of the said Council, not holding any such
office as aforesaid, shall vacate his seat in the said Council, upon
the admission of any new member of Council holding any such
office.
And We do hereby declare and grant, that the Chancellor for
the time being of our said College shall preside at all meetings of
the said College Council which he may deem it proper or con-
venient to attend ; and that, in his absence, the President of our
said College shall preside at all such meetings ; and that in the
absence of the said President, the senior member of the said
Council, present at any such meeting, shall preside thereat ; and
that the seniority of the members of the said Council, other than
the Chancellor and President, shall be regulated according to the
date of their respective appointments. Provided always, that the
members of the said Council being Professors in our said College,
shall, in the said Council, take precedence over, and be consi-
dered as seniors to the members thereof, not being Professors in
our said College.
And We do ordain and declare, that no meeting of the said
Council shall be, or be held to be, a lawful meeting thereof,
unless five members at the least be present during the whole of
every such meeting : And that all questions and resolutions pro-
posed for the decision of the said College Council shall be
determined by the majority of the votes of the members of
Council present, including the vote of the presiding member ;
and that in the event of an equal division of such votes, the
member presiding at any such meeting shall give an additional
or casting vote.
And We do farther declare, that if any member of the said
Council shall die, or resign his seat in the said Council, or shall
be suspended or removed from the same, or shall by reason of any
bodily or mental infirmity, or by reason of his absence from the
said Province, become incapable for three calendar months or
upwards of attending the meetings of the said Council, then and
in every such case a fit and proper person shall be appointed by
the said Chancellor to act as, and be, a member of the said
Council in the place and stead of the member so dying or
resigning, or so suspended or removed, or incapacitated, as afore-
said ; and such new member succeeding to any member so
suspended or incapacitated, shall vacate such his office on the
removal of any such suspension, or at the termination of any such
incapacity, as aforesaid, of his immediate predecessor in the said
Council.
( 13)
And we do further ordain and grant, that it shall and may be
competent to and for the Chancellor for the time being, of our
said College, to suspend from his seat in the said Council any
member thereof for any just and reasonable cause to the said
Chancellor appearing. Provided, that the grounds of every such
'suspension shall be entered and recorded at length by the said
Chancellor in the books of the said Council, and signed by him.
And every person so suspended shall thereupon cease to be a
member of the said Council, unless and until he shall be restored
to, and re-established in, such his station therein by any order to
be made in the premises by us, or by the said Visitor of our said
College, acting on our behalf, and in pursuance of any special
reference from us.
And We do further declare, that any member of the said
Council, who, without sufficient cause, to be allowed by the said
Chancellor, by an order entered for that purpose on the books of
the said Council, shall absent himself from all the meetings
thereof, which may be held within any six successive calendar
months, shall thereupon vacate his seat in the said Council.
And We do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors,
will, ordain, and grant, that the said Council of our said College
shall have power and authority to frame and make Statutes,
Rules and Ordinances touching and concerning the good govern-
ment of the said College, the performance of divine service
therein, the studies, lectures, exercises, degrees in arts and
faculties, and all matters regarding the same, the residence and
duties of the President of our said College, the number, residence
and duties of the Professors thereof, the management of the
revenues and property of our said College, the salaries, stipends,
provision and emoluments of, and for the President, Professors,
Scholars, Officers and Servants thereof, the number and duties of
such Officers and Servants, and also touching and concerning any
other matter or thing which to them shall seem good, fit and
useful, for the well-being and advancement of our said College,
and agreeable to this our charter : And also, from time to time,
by any statutes, rules, or ordinances, to revoke, renew, augment,
or alter, all, every, or any of the said statutes, rules and ordi-
nances, as to them shall seem meet and expedient. Provided
always, that the said statutes, rules and ordinances, or any of
them, shall not be repugnant to the laws and statutes of the
United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, or of our said
Province of Upper Canada, or to this our charter. Provided also,
that the said statutes, rules and ordinances, shall be subject to the
approbation of the said Visitor of our said College for the time
being : And shall be forthwith transmitted to the said Visitor for
that purpose : And that in case the said Visitor shall for us, and
on our behalf, in writing, signify his disapprobation thereof
within two years of the time of their being so made and framed,
(14)
the same or such part thereof as shall be so disapproved of by the
said Visitor, shall, from the time of such disapprobation being
made known to the said Chancellor of our said College, be utterly
void and of no effect, but otherwise shall be, and remain in full
force and virtue.
Provided, nevertheless, and we do hereby expressly save and"
reserve to us, our heirs and successors, the power of reviewing,
confirming, or reversing, by any order or orders, to be by us or
them made in our or their Privy Council, all or any of the
decisions, sentences, or orders, so to be made as aforesaid, by the
said Visitor, for us and on our behalf, in reference to the said
statutes, rules and ordinances, or any of them.
And we do further ordain and declare, that no statute, rule or
ordinance, shall be framed or made by the said College Council,
touching the matters aforesaid, or any of them, excepting only
such as shall be proposed for the consideration of the said Council
by the Chancellor for the time being of our said College.
And We do require and enjoin the said Chancellor thereof to
consult with the President of our said College, and the next senior
member of the said College Council, respecting all statutes, rules
and ordinances, to be proposed by him to the said Council foy
their consideration.
And we do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, charge and
command that the statutes, rules and ordinances, aforesaid, sub*
ject to the said provisions, shall be strictly and inviolably
observed, kept, and performed from time to time, in full vigour
and effect, under the penalties to be thereby or therein imposed
or contained.
And We do further will, ordain and grant, that the said
College shall be deemed and taken to be an University, and shall
have and enjoy all such and the like privileges as are enjoyed by
our Universities of our United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, as far as the same are capable of being had or enjoyed
by virtue of these our Letters Patent. And that the Students in
the said College shall have liberty and faculty of taking the
degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctor, in the several arts and
faculties at the appointed times ; and shall have liberty within
themselves of performing all scholastic exercises, for the conferring
such degrees, in such manner as shall be directed by the statutes,
rules and ordinances of the said College.
And We do further will, ordain, and appoint, that no religious
test or qualification shall be required of, or appointed for, any
persons admitted or matriculated as Scholars within our said
College, or of persons admitted to any degree in any art or faculty
therein, save only, that all persons admitted within our said
College to any degree in Divinity, shall make such and the same
declarations and subscriptions, and take such and the same oaths,
as are required of persons admitted to any degree of Divinity in
pur University of Oxford.
(IS)
And we do further will, direct and ordain, that the Chancellor,
President, and Professors of our said College, and all persona
admitted therein to the degree of Master of Arts, or to any
degree in Divinity, Law, or medicine, and who, from the time of
such their admission to such degree, shall pay the annual sum of
twenty shillings, sterling money, for and towards the support and
maintenance of the said College, shall be deemed, taken, and
reputed to be, Members of the Convocation of the said University ;
and as such members of the said Convocation shall have, exercise
and enjoy, all such and the like privileges as are enjoyed by the
members of the Convocation of our University of Oxford, so far
as the same are capable of being had and enjoyed, by virtue of
these our Letters Patent, and consistently with the provisions
thereof.
And We will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and sue-*
cessors, do grant and declare, that these our Letters Patent, or the
enrolment or exemplification thereof, shall and may be good,
firm, valid, sufficient, and effectual in the law, according to the
true intent and meaning of the same ; and shall be taken, con-
strued, and adjudged in the most favourable and beneficial sense,
or to the best advantage of the said Chancellor, President and
Scholars of our said College, as well in our Courts of Record as
elsewhere, and by all and singular Judges, Justices, Officers,
Ministers, and other subjects whatsoever of us, our heirs and
successors, any misrecital^nonrecital, omission, imperfection,
defect, matter, cause or thing, whatsoever to the contrary thereof,
in any wise notwithstanding.
In witness whereof, we have caused these our Letters to be
made Patent.
Witness ourself at Westminster, the fifteenth day of March, in
the eighth year of our reign.
By Writ of Privy Seal.
(Signed) BATHURST.
G.
ALTERATIONS MADE IN THE CHARTER OF KING'S COLLEGE,
By 1th William the Fourth, Chap. 16, entituled, " An Act to
amend the Charter of tlie University of King's College," in
consequence of Lord Goderictts Despatch of 2nd November,
1831, and by ivhich it was believed that all the requirements
of the said Despatch ivere fully satisfied.
" WHEREAS certain alterations appear necessary to be made in
" the same, in order to meet the desire and circumstances of the
" Colony, and that the said Charter may produce the benefits
" intended :
"Be it therefore enacted, by the King's Most Excellent
" Majesty, &c. &c. &c., and by the authority of the same —
" That for and notwithstanding anything in the said Charter
" contained, the Judges of His Majesty's court of King's Bench
" shall, for and on behalf of the King, be Visitors of the said
" College, in the place and stead of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese
" of Quebec, for the time being ; and that the President of the
" said University, on any future vacancy, shall be appointed by
" His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, without requiring that
" he should be an incumbent of any Ecclesiastical office ; and that
" the Members of the College Council, including the Chancellor
" and President, shall be twelve in number, of whom the Speakers
" of the two Houses of the Legislature of the Province, and His
" Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General, for the time being,
" shall be four, and the remainder shall consist of the five Senior
" Professors of Arts and Faculties of the said College, and of the
" Principal of the Minor or Upper Canada College ; and in case
" there shall not at any time be five Professors, as aforesaid, in the
" said College, and until Professors shall be appointed therein,
" the Council shall be filled up with Members to be appointed as
" in the said Charter is provided, except that it shall not be
" necessary that any member of the College Council, so to be
" appointed, or any Member of the said College Council, or any
" Professor, to be at any time appointed, shall be a Member of the
" Church of England, or subscribe any articles of Religion, other
« than a declaration that they believe in the authenticity and
" Divine inspiration of the Old and New Testaments, and in the
" doctrine of the Trinity ; and further, that no religious test or
" qualification be required or appointed for any person admitted
" or matriculated as scholars within the said college, or of persons
" admitted to any degree or faculty therein."
(17)
D.
EXTRACTS FROM AN ACT PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF CANADA
ON fHE 30TH MAY, 1841), 12TII VICTORIA, CAP. 28.
** An Act to aitiantt the Charter of the University established at
Torotito by his late Majesty King George the Fourth, to
provide for tJt^e more satisfactory government, of the said
University Cartel for oilier purposes Connected witk the samey.
and with the College and lioyal Grammar Scliool forming an
c thereof"
PREAMBLE.
" WHEREAS a University for the advancement of learning in
that division of the Province called Upper Canada, established
upon principles calculated to conciliate the confidence and insure
the support of all classes and denominations of Her Majesty's
subjects, would, under the blessing of Divine Providence, encou-
rage the pursuit of Literature, Science and Art, and thereby
greatly tend to promote the bests interests, religious, moral and
intellectual of the people at large : And whereas, with a view to
supply the want of such an Institution, His late Majesty King
George the Fourth, by Royal Charter, bearing date at West-
minster, the fifteenth day of March, in the eighth year of His
reign, was pleased to establish at Toronto, then called York, in
that division of the Province, a Collegiate Institution, with the
style and privileges of a University, and was afterwards pleased
to endow the said Institution with certain of the waste lands of
the Crown, in that part of the Province : And whereas the people
of this Province consist of various denominations of Christians, to
the members of each of which denominations it is desirable to
extend all the benefits of a University education, and it is there-
fore necessary that such Institution, to enable it to accomplish its
high purpose, should be entirely free in its government and
discipline from all Denominational bias, so that the just rights
and privileges of all may be fully maintained without offence to
the religious opinions of any ; And whereas the Legislature of the
late province of Upper Canada, having been invited by His late
Majesty King William the Fourth, ' to consider in what manner*
the said University could be best constituted for the general
advantage of the whole Society,* as appears by the Despatch of
His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, bearing date
the eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight hundred and thirty-two, the Parliament of that Pro-
(16)
vince, afterwards, by an Act passed in the seventh year of the
reign of His said late Majesty King William the Fourth, chap.
16, arid intituled, " An Act to amend the Charter of King's
College," did alter and amend the said Charter in certain parti-
culars, in order, as the preamble to the said Act recites, " to meet
the desire and circumstances of the Colony ;" And whereas such
alteration and amendment have been found insufficient for these
purposes, and therefore, as well for the more complete accom-
plishment of this important object, in compliance with His said
late Majesty's most gracious invitation as for the purpose of pre-
venting the evil consequences, to which frequent appeals to
Parliament on the subject of the constitution and government of
the said University is calculated to produce, it has become expe-
dient and necessary to repeal the said Act and to substitute other
legislative provisions in lieu thereof."
Be it therefore enacted, &c. &c., " That the said Act shall
be and the same is hereby repealed.
CLAUSE II.
" And be it enacted, that so much of the said Charter so
granted by His said late Majesty King George the Fourth, as
aforesaid as is contradictory to, or inconsistent with this Act, or
any of the provisions thereof, or as makes any provision in any
matter provided for by this Act, other than such as is hereby
made in such matter, shall be and the same is hereby repealed
and annulled ; anything of the said Charter of the said Act of
the Parliament of the late Province of Upper Canada to the
contrary notwithstanding."
CLAUSE XII.
" And be it enacted, That there shall be no Faculty of Divinity
in the said University, nor shall there be any Professorship, Lec-
tureship or Teachership of Divinity, in the same, &c. &c."
CLAUSE XVII.
" And be it enacted, that there shall be in the said University
a Deliberative Body, to be called the Senate of the said Univer-
sity, which shall consist of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the
President, and all the Professors of the said University, and of
twelve or more additional Members, who shall be appointed to
seats in the same, one half thereof by the Crown, and the other
half thereof by such Colleges in Upper Canada, as now are or
hereafter shall be incorporated with the power of conferring
Degrees in Divinity, and not in the other Arts or Faculties, each
of which additional Members, except those who shall be first
appointed to such seats under this Act, and those who shall be
appointed to fill such seats for the residue of the term of office
of their immediate predecessors respectively, shall hold his seat in
the said Senate for a term of three years, and shall be appointed
(19)
to and vacate the same according to a cycle to be established by
a Statute of the said University to be passed for that purpose —
— and which shall make such provision for the same as shall
insure, that, as nearly as may be, one-third of the said additional
Members so to be appointed by the Crown as aforesaid, and also
one-third of the said, additional members so to be appointed by
the said Colleges, shall respectively vacate their seats in such
Senate every year : Provided always nevertheless, firstly, that
fifteen Members shall be a quorum for the despatch of business,
and that the Chancellor, and in his absence the Vice-Chancellor,
and in the absence of both the Pro- Vice-Chancellor, and in the
absence of all, then the President of the said University shall
preside at all meetings of the said Senate, and in the absence of
all of such Officers, then such other Member of the said Senate as
shall be appointed for that purpose for the time ; And provided
also, secondly, that no person shall be qualified to be appointed
by the Crown to any such seat in the said Senate who shall be a
Minister, Ecclesiastic, or Teacher, under or according to any
form or profession of Religious Faith or Worship whatsoever ;
And provided, also, thirdly, that no person shall be qualified to
be appointed either by the Crown or by any such Incorporated
College to a seat in the said Senate, who shall not have taken the
Degree of Master of Arts, or any Degree in Law or Medicine in
the said University, at least five years prior to the time of
his appointment to such seat : Provided always, nevertheless,
fourthly, and lastly, that the restriction contained in the said last
foregoing Proviso to this section, shall not apply to any appoint-
ments to be made to such Senate prior to the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty.'1
CLAUSE XXIX.
« And be it enacted, That no religious Test or qualification
whatsoever shall be required of or appointed for any person
admitted or matriculated as a member of such University,
whether as a Scholar, Student, Fellow, or otherwise, or of or for
any person admitted to any Degree in any Art or Faculty in the
said University, or of or for any person appointed to an Office,
Professorship, Lectureship, Mastership, Tutorship, or other place
or employment whatsoever in the same, nor shall •religious
observances according to the forms of any particular Religious
Denomination be imposed upon the Members or Officers of the
said University, or any of them."
CLAUSE XXXII.
" And be it enacted, That all the property and effects, real and
personal, of what nature or kind soever, now belonging to or
vested in the said University, or in the Chancellor, President and
Scholars thereof, or in any other person or persons, or Body
Corporate or Politic whatsoever, for the use or benefit of the said
University, shall be and continue vested in the Chancellor,
(20)
Masters and Scholars pf the University of Toronto, to hold to
them and their successors, to the use of them and their successors
for ever, any thing in the said Charter of His said late Majesty,
in any Act of the Parliament of the late Province of Upper
Canada, or of this Province, or in any Letters Patent, Royal
Charters, Deeds or other Instruments to the contrary thereof in
any wise notwithstanding."
CLAUSE XLVI.
" And be it enacted, That with the exception of the Professor
of Divinity, every Professor, Lecturer and Officer of the said
University now actually holding a Chair, or Office in the same
shall continue to hold his chair, place or office, under a new
warrant, to be issued to him for the same, until he shall be
removed therefrom in the manner prescribed by this Act ; Pro-
vided always, nevertheless, that nothing hereiif contained shall
prevent or be construed to prevent the Commission of Visitation
to be issued as hereinafter directed, or any other such Commission
of Visitation, or any University Statute to be passed for that
purpose, from re-arranging such chairs or the duties attached to
the same respectively, or from adding to, varying or deducting
from the duties of the Chair or Chairs held by any such Professor,
Lecturer or Teacher, in the said University, or from so altering
or varying the amount of salary or emolument receivable by any
such Professor, Lecturer or Teacher, as shall be necessary to give
effect to the provisions of this Act, for the prevention of the dis-
sipation of the endowment or capital stock of such University,
and restricting its expenses and disbursements to the amount of
its annual income from the same.
CLAUSE LXXXI.
" And whereas a gift of Books, principally consisting of Theo-
logical Works, was some years since made to the said University
hereinbefore first mentioned by the Society for Promoting Chris-
tian Knowledge, which in consequence of the abolition of the
Chair of Divinity, that Society may desire to have transferred to
some other Institution or otherwise disposed of: Be it therefore
enacted, that upon application from the said Society by their
proper officer, to be made to the said Chancellor, Masters and
Scholars of the said University of Toronto, at any time before the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five,
requesting that such gift may be returned to them or otherwise
disposed of as they may appoint, it shall and may be lawful for
the said Chancellor, Masters and Scholars, and they are hereby
required, to deliver over the same according to such request, and
the same shall thereupon become vested in the said society or in
such other person or persons, bodies politic or corporate as the
said Society shall or may in and by such request so to be made as
aforesaid, nominate and appoint in that behalf} anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding."
(21 )
ROYAL CHARTER OP QVEENs COLLEGE, KINGSTON.
VICTORIA, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith :
To all to whom these presents shall come, —
GREETING J
WHEREAS the establishment of a COLLEGE within the Province
of Upper Canada, in North America, in connection with the
Church of Scotland, for the education of Youth in the principles
of the Christian Religion, and for their instruction in the various
branches of Science and Literature, would greatly conduce to
the welfare of our said Province. And whereas humble applica-
tion hath been made to us by The Rev. Robert McGill, Moderator
of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in connexion
with the Church of Scotland, and The Rev. Alexander Gale,
Clerk of the said Synod, and the several other persons hereinafter
named, to make them a Body Corporate and Politic for the pur-
poses aforesaid and hereinafter mentioned ; by granting to them
our Royal Charter of Incorporation, and to permit them to use our
Royal Title in the name or style thereof.
Now know Ye, that We, having taken the premises into our
Royal consideration, and duly weighing the great utility and
importance of such an Institution, have of our special grace, cer-
tain knowledge, and mere motion, granted, constituted, declared
and appointed, and by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Suc-
cessors, Do grant, constitute, declare and appoint the said Robert
McGill and, Alexander Gale, The Rev. John McKenzie, The
Hev. William Rintoul, The Rev. William T. Leach, The Rev.
James George, The Rev. John Machar, The Rev. Peter Colin
Campbell, The Rev. John Cruikshank, The Rev. Alexander
Mathieson, Doctor in Divinity, The Rev. John Cook, Doctor in
Divinity, and the Principal of tne said College for the time being,
Ministers of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in connection
with the Church of Scotland, The Honourable John Hamilton,
The Honourable James Crooks, The Honourable William Morris,
The Honourable Archibald McLean, The Honourable John
McDonald, The Honourable Peter McGill, Edw. W. Thompson,
Thomas McKay, James Morris, John Ewart, John Steele, John
Mowat, Alexander Pringle, John Munn and John Strang,
Esquires, Members of the said Church, and all and every such
other person and persons as now is or are, or shall or may at any
time or times hereafter be Ministers of the Presbyterian Church
(22)
of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland — or Mem-
ber of the said Presbyterian Church in such connection, and in
full communion with the Presbyterian Church — shall be and be
called, one body Corporate and Politic, in Deed and in law by the
name and style of " Queen's College at Kingston " and them by
the name of " Queen's College at Kingston " — We do for the
purposes aforesaid and hereinafter mentioned, really and fully for
Us, our Heirs ancl Successors, make, erect, create, ordain, consti-
tute, establish, confirm and declare by these presents, to be one
Body Politic and Corporate in deed and in name : And that they
and their Successors by that name shall and may have perpetual
succession as a College — with the style and privileges of an
University, for the education and instruction of Youth and
Students in Arts and Faculties ; and shall also have and may use
a Common Seal, with power to break, change, alter, or make new
the same Seal, as often as they shall judge expedient. And that
they and their Successors, by the name aforesaid, shall and may
for ever hereafter be able, in Law and in Equity, to sue and be
sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto,
defend and be defended, in all Courts and places whatsoever :
and also to have, take, receive, purchase, acquire, hold, possess,
enjoy and maintain in Law, to and for the use of the said Col-
lege, any Messuages, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, of
what kind, nature or quality soever, so as that the same do not
exceed in yearly value, above all charges, the sum of £ 15,000
sterling : and also that they and their Successors shall have
power to take, purchse, acquire, have, hold, enjoy, receive, pos-
sess and retain all or any Goods, Chattels, Moneys, Stocks,
charitable or other Contributions, Gifts, Benefactions or Bequests
whatsoever ; and to give, grant, bargain, sell, demise, or other-
wise dispose of, all or any part of the same, or of any other
property, real, personal, or other they may at any time or times
possess or be entitled to, as to them shall seem best for the interest
of the said College. And We do further will, ordain and grant,
that the said College shall be deemed and taken to be an
University ; and that the Students in the said College shall have
liberty and faculty of taking the degrees of Bachelor, Master and
Doctor in the several Arts and Faculties at the appointed times ;
and shall have liberty within themselves of performing all
Scholastic Exercises for conferring such Degrees, in such manner
as shall be directed by the Statutes, Rules and Ordinances of tlip
said College. And we do further will, ordain and appoint, that
no religious test or qualification shall be required of, or appointed
for any persons admitted or matriculated as Scholars within our
said College ; or of or for persons admitted to any Degree in any
Art or Faculty therein, save only that all persons admitted within
our said College to any Degree of Divinity, shall make such and
the same Declarations and subscriptions as are required of per-
(23)
sons admitted to any Degree of Divinity in our University of
Edinburgh. And for the better execution of the purposes afore-
said, and for the more regular government of the said Corporation,
We do declare and grant that the said Corporation and their
Successors shall for ever have twenty-seven Trustees, of whom
twelve shall be Ministers of the said Presbyterian Church of
Canada, and fifteen shall be laymen in full communion with the
said Church. And that the said several persons hereinbefore
named and the Principal of the said College for the time being,
shall be the first and present Trustees of the said Corporation, and
shall respectively continue in such office until others shall be
appointed in their stead, in pursuance of these our Letters Patent*
And we further will that the said Corporation herein before par-
ticularly named, shall continue in and hold the office of Trustees
until the several days and in the manner hereinafter mentioned,
that is to say, three Ministers and four Laymen whose names
stand lowest in these our Letters Patent, shall retire from the said
Board of Trustees on the first day of the Annual Meeting of the
said Synod in the year 1843, and in their room be supplied by
the addition of seven new members in manner hereinafter men-
tioned. Three other Ministers and four other Laymen whose
names stand next to those in these our Letters Patent, who shall
have previously retired, shall retire from the said Board of
Trustees on the first day of the Aijnual Meeting of the said
Synod in the year 1844, and their room be supplied by the addi-
tion of seven new members in manner hereinafter mentioned.
Three other Ministers and four other Laymen whose names stand
next to those in these our Letters Patent who shall have previously
retired, shall retire from the said Board of Trustees on the first
day of the Annual Meeting of the said Synod in the year 1845,
and in their room be supplied by the addition of seven new
members in manner hereinafter mentioned ; and the two
remaining Ministers and the three remaining Laymen whose
names stand next to those in these our Letters Patent, who shall
have previously retired, shall retire from the said Board of
Trustees on the first day of the Annual Meeting of the said Synod
in the year 1846, and in their room be supplied by the addition of
five new Members, in the manner hereinafter mentioned. And
on the first day of each succeeding Annual Meeting of the said
Synod, three Ministers and four Laymen whose names stand
lowest in the future roll of Ministers and Laymen composing the
said Board of Trustees, shall retire from the same, excepting in
every fourth year, when two ministers only, instead of three, and
three laymen only instead of four shall so retire. And the new
members of the Board to be appointed from time to time in suc-
cession to those who retire, shall be appointed in manner following,
that is to say : The three Ministers or two Ministers, as the case
may be, shall be chosen by the said Synod on the first day of
(24)
every Annual Meeting of the same, in such manner as shall seem
best to the said Synod ; and the four Laymen or three Laymen,
as the case may be, shall be chosen also on the first day of every
Annual Meeting of the said Synod, by the Lay Trustees
remaining after the others shall have retired ; and shall be
chosen from a list of persons made up in the following manner,
that is to say : each Congregation admitted on the Roll of the
said Synod, and in regular connexion therewith, shall, at a
meeting to be specially called from the pulpit for that purpose in
every third year, nominate one fit and discreet person, being a
member in full communion with the said Church, as eligible to
fill the office of Trustee of the said College : and the persons'
names so nominated being duly intimated by the several Con-
gregations to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees in such form
afi the said Board may direct, shall be enrolled by the said Board,
and constitute the list from which Lay Trustees shall be chosen
to fill the vacancies occurring at the Board during each year.
And the names of Members thus added to the Board of Trustees,
shall be placed from time to time at the top of the roll of the
Board, the names of the Ministers chosen as new Trustees being
first placed there in such order as the said Synod shall direct.
And the names of the Laymen chosen as new Trustees being
placed in such order as their electors shall direct, immediately
after the names of the saidJVEinisters. Provided always that the
retiring Trustees may be re-elected as heretofore provided, if the
Synod and remaining Lay Trustees respectively see fit to do so.
And provided always, that in case no election of new Trustees
shall be made on the said first day of the Annual Meeting of the
said Synod, then and in such case the said retiring Members shall
remain in office until their successors are appointed at some sub-
sequent period. And provided always that every Trustee, whe-
ther Minister or Layman, before entering on his duties as a
Member of the said Board, shall have solemnly declared his belief
of the doctrines of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and his
adherence to the Standards of the said Church in Government,
Discipline and Worship ; and subscribed such a foraml to this
effect as may be prescribed by the said Synod ; and that such
Declaration and Subscription shall in every case be recorded in
the books of the said Board. And we do further will that the
said Trustees and their Successors shall forever have full power
and authority to elect and appoint for the said College a Principal,
who shall be a Minister of the Church of Scotland, or of the
Presbyterian Church of Canada in connection with the Church of
Scotland ; and such Professor or Professors, Master or Masters,
Tutor or Tutors, and such other Officer or Officers as to the said
Trustees shall seem meet : save and except only, that the first
Principal of the said College, who is also to be Professor of
Divinity, and likewise the first Professor of Morals in the said
(25)
College, shall be nominated by the Committee of the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Provided always that such
person or persons as may be appointed to the office of Principal
or to any Professorship or other office in the Theological depart-
ment in the said College shall, before discharging any of the
duties, or receiving any of the emoluments of such office or Pro-
fessorship, solemnly declare his belief of the doctrines of the
Westminster Confession of Faith, and his adherence to the
standards of the Church of Scotland, in government, discipline
and worship, and subscribe such a formula to this effect as may
be prescribed by the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada
in connexion with the Church of Scotland, and that such decla-
ration and subscription be recorded in the books of the Board of
Trustees ; And provided always, that such persons as shall be
appointed to Professorships, not in the Theological Department in
the said College, shall before discharging any of the duties, or
receiving any of the emoluments of such Professorships, subscribe
such a formula, declarative of their belief of the doctrines of the
aforesaid Confession of Faith as the Synod may prescribe. And
we further will, that if any complaint respecting the conduct of
the Principal, or any Professor, Master, Tutor, or other Officer of
the said College, be at any time made to the Board of Trustees,
they may institute an enquiry, and in the event of any impro-
priety of conduct being duly proved, they shall admonish,
reprove, suspend, or remove the person offending, as to them
may seem good — Provided always, that the grounds of such
admonition, reproof, suspension or removal be recorded at length
in the books of the said Board. And we further will -that the
said Trustees and their successors shall have full power and
authority to erect an edifice or edifices for the use of the said
College. Provided always that such edifice or edifices shall not
be more than three miles distant from St. Andrew's Church, in
the Town of Kingston, in the province of Upper Canada. And
we further will that the said Trustees and their successors shall
have power and authority to frame and make Statutes, Poiles
and Ordinances touching and concerning the good goverment of
the said College, the performance of Divine Service therein, the
Studies, Lectures, Exercises, and all matters regarding the same ;
the number, residence and duties of the Professors thereof, the
management of the revenues and property of the said College,
the salaries, stipends, provisions and emoluments of, and for the
Professors, Officers, and Servants thereof, the number and duties
of such Officers and Servants, and also touching and concerning
any other matter or thing which to them shall seem necessary
for the well-being and advancement of the said College, and also
from time to time by any new Statutes, Rules or Ordinances to
revoke, renew, augment or alter, all, every, or any of the said
Statutes, Rules and Ordinances, as to them shall seem meet and
d
(26)
expedient ; Provided always that the said Statutes, Ilnles and
Ordinances, or any of them, shall not be repugnant to these
presents, or to the Laws and Statutes of the said Province ; Pro-
vided also, that the said Statutes, Rules and Ordinances, in so far
as they regard the performance of Divine Service in the said
College, the duties of the Professors in the theological department
thereof, and the studies and exercises of the Students of Divinity
therein, shall be subject to the inspection of the said Synod of the
Presbyterian Church, and shall be forthwith transmitted to the
Clerk of the said Synod and be by him laid before the same at
their next meeting for their approval ; and until such approval
duly authenticated by the signatures of the Moderator and Clerk
of the Synod is obtained, the same shall not be in force. And we
further will, that so soon as there shall be a Principal and one
Professor in the said College, the Board of Trustees shall have
authority to constitute under their seal the said Principal and
Professor, together with three Members of the Board of Trustees,
a Court, to be called " The College Senate," for the exercise of
academical superintendence and discipline over the Students, and
all other persons resident within the same, and with such powers
for maintaining order and enforcing obedience to the Statutes,
Rules and Ordinances of the said College, as to the said Board
shall seem meet and necessary : — Provided always, that so soon
as three additional Professors shall be employed in the said
College, no Trustee shall be a Member of the said College Senate,
but that such Principal and all the Professors of the said College
shall for ever constitute the College Senate, with the powers just
mentioned. And 'we further will, that whenever there shall be
a Principal and four Professors employed in the said College, the
College Senate shall have power and authority to confer the
Degrees of Bachelor, Master, and Doctor, in the several Arts and
Faculties. And we further will, that five of the said Trustees,
lawfully convened as is hereinafter directed, shall be a quorum
for the despatch of all business, except for the disposal and pur-
chase of Real Estate, or for the choice or removal of the Principal
or Professors, for any of which purposes there shall be a meeting
of at least thirteen Trustees. And we further will, that the said
Trustees shall have full power and authority, from time to time,
to choose a Secretary and Treasurer ; and also once in each year
or oftener, a Chairman who shall preside at all meetings of the
Board. And we further will that the said Trustees shall also
have power by a majority of voices of the Members present, to
select and appoint, in the event of a vacancy in the Board by
death, resignation or removal from the Province, a person whose
name is on the list from which appointments are to be made to
fill such vacancy, choosing a Minister in the room of a Minister
and a Layman in the room of a Layman, and inserting the name
of the person so chosen in that place on the roll of the Board in
(27)
which the name of the Trustee in whose stead he may have been
chosen stood ; and that the person so chosen may be, as to con-
tinuance in office and in all other respects as the persons would
have been by whose death, resignation, or removal the vacancy
was occasioned. And we further will that the first general
meeting of the said Trustees shall be held at Kingston, upon such
a day within six calendar months after the date of these our
Letters Patent, as shall be fixed for that purpose by the Trustee
first named in these presents, who shall be then living, of which
meeting thirty days notice at least shall be given by notification
in writing to each of the Trustees for the time being, who shall
be resident at the time within the Province of Upper or Lower
Canada ; and the same shall also be notified at the same time by
advertisement in one or more of the public newspapers of the said
Provinces. And the said Trustees shall also afterwards have
power to meet at Kingston aforesaid, or at such other place as
they shall fix for that purpose upon their own adjournment, and
likewise so often as they shall be summoned by the Chairman, or
in his absence- by the senior Trustee, whose Seniority shall be
determined in the first instance by the order in which the said
Trustees are named in these presents, and afterwards by the order
in which they shall be subsequently arranged pursuant to the
powers hereinbefore contained, Provided always that the said
Chairman or Senior Trustee shall not summon a meeting of the
Trustees unless required so to do by a notice in writing from
three members of the Board ; and provided also, that he cause
notice of the time and place of the said -meeting to be given in
one or more of the public newspapers of the Provinces of Upper
and Lower Canada, at least thirty days before such meeting ;
and that every member of the Board of Trustees resident \vithin
the said Provinces shall be notified in writing by the Secretary
to the Corporation of the time and place of such meeting. And
we will and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors do
grant and declare, that these our Letters Patent, or the enrolment
or exemplification thereof shall and may be good, firm and valid,
sufficient and effectual in the law, according to the true intent
and meaning of the same, and shall be taken, construed and
adjudged in the most favourable and beneficial sense for the best
advantage of our said College, as well in our Courts of Record as
elsewhere ; and by all and singular Judges, Justices, Officers
Ministers and others, subjects whatsoever of us, our heirs and
successors, any unrecital, non-recital, omission, imperfection,
defect, matter, cause, or anything whatsoever to the contrary
thereof in anywise notwithstanding.
In witness whereof, we have caused these our Letters to bo
made Patent. Witness ourself, at our Palace at Westminster,
this sixteenth day of October, in the fifth year of our Reign.
By Writ of Privy Seal. EDMUNDS.
(28)
F.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TH«
PROVINCE OF CANADA.
Ttie Petition of the Visitors of King's College*
RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH ;
That your Petitioners have learned, with much concern, that
certain bills are to be brought into the Legislature during the
present Session, which they have seen in a printed form, and by
which it is proposed — to deprive King's College of all the privi-
leges and powers of an University, which it holds under the
assurance of a Royal Charter, including the power of conferring
Degrees in the Arts and Sciences — to remove from the College
the President appointed to it by the C*own, and to appoint
another to be President in his room, in disregard of the Royal
Prerogative, and in contravention of the express terms of the
Charter, which vests the right of appointment and removal in
Her Majesty«-r-to take from King's College the property conferred
upon it by the Crown by Letter Patent, and all moneys and
securities arising from the sale of its lands so granted, which are
now in possession of the College, " or to which it is legally or
equitably entitled," and to vest whatever is at this moment by
Royal Grant the property of the College, in a new University, to
be established by an Act of the Legislature: which University is
to be prohibited by its constitution " from passing any statute, rule
or regulation, for religious observances by the students ;" in other
words, from prescribing as a duty any act of religious worship.
We beg respectfully to state to your Honourable House, that
when the Royal Charter, which was granted in 1827, by His
late Majesty King George the Fourth, was altered in some
respects by an Act of the Legislature of Upper Canada, passed in
1837, all interference with the property of the College was care-
fully avoided. We believe that to have been the first occasion
in which the provisions of a Charter under the great seal of
England had been altered, with the Royal Sanction, by a Colo-
nial Statute ; and we believe also that there were many who,
though not convinced of the regularity of such an Act, were yet
led to acquiese in it under the hope that, if the concurrence of
the Crown were obtained, it would be a final measure.
We now beg to be permitted to prefer to your Honourable
House our_earnest petition, that no such Bills as are about to be
(29)
introduced for abolishing the privileges and taking away the
property of King's College may be allowed to pass,-— because we
are fully persuaded that, except in times of civil tumult and
violence, no example of such an invasion of chartered rights and
the rights of property can be found in the history of Great Britain
or any of her Colonies, — because we are satisfied that such a
measure, besides being pernicious in its example and destructive
of that confidence which our constitution and laws entitle us to
repose in Hoyal Charters, would inflict upon this Province great
and lasting injury, — because no such legal grounds as may have
led, in some cases, to an interference with the rights of property,
in countries governed by British laws, have been shewn or can
be alleged as a foundation for the proposed measures, — because
not merely in every part of the United Kingdom, but in many of
the Colonies there exist corporate bodies, having no other gua-
rantee for the continued possession of their property and privileges
than can be shewn by the Corporation of King's College ; but
which have always felt as secure in their enjoyment as indivi-
duals feel who hold their estates under the same description of
title.
Because there have been for ages, and are at this moment in
Canada, endowments of very great value, appropriated to the
support of religion and the advancement of learning, Avhich rest
on no other foundation, but which have been always hitherto
scrupulously and justly respected ; and to this day there exist
similar endowments for Colleges and Churches in various parts
of the United States of America, which having been made by
British Monarchs at an early period, were safe, even amidst the
violence of revolution, and although the Government, which
made them, lost all power to protect them, they have survived
every political change.
And because, if an experiment is desired to be made of
establishing a seat of learning within whose walls no religious
doctrine is to be inculcated, and no religious duties or obser-
vances prescribed, such an experiment, we most respectfully
submit, ought, in justice to King's College, and to all who value
religious truth as the noblest and most important of the sciences,
to be made by means of sources which are by law at the disposal
of the legislature, and not by taking from a College, founded by
Royal Charter, for the advancement of sound religion and
learning, the endowment which our Sovereign bestowed upon us,
(Signed) JNO. B. ROBINSON,
J. JONES,
ARCH. MCLEAN,
CHR. A. HAGERMAN,
Visitors King's College.
Toronto, March 10, 1845.
(30)
Q.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF KING'S COLLEGE, IN MARCH 1845,
AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY BILL OF 1845.
Whereas the College Council have, within two days, been put
in possession (not officially) of three bills which are stated to have
been already introduced into the Legislative Assembly, by one of
which it is among other things proposed to be enacted, that not-
withstanding anything contained in the Charter of the University
of King's College, the said College shall not hereafter have,
exercise, or enjoy any of the rights, powers and privileges of an
University, or hold any convocation, or confer any degrees. And
by another of the said Bills it is proposed to be enacted, that there
shall be erected and established, at or near the City of Toronto,
an University to be called " The University of Upper Canada,"
with power to " confer degrees," but from which the authority is
to be expressly withheld of " passing any statute, rule or regula-
tion for religious observances by the Students of the said Univer-
sity." And by the other of the said Bills it is proposed to be
enacted, '* that, as soon as the intended new University shall be
established, all and every, the land and other real estate and
effects which have been granted by the Crown to King's College,
and all moneys, debentures and securities for money of what
nature or kind soever, arising from the sale or rental of any lands
so granted as aforesaid, or purchased or procured, or taken by, for
or through the means of any such lands, or any sale or leasing
thereof, or for the security of any debt due to the said University
of King's College now in its possession, or to which the said
King's College is legally or equitably entitled, shall be vested in
and become the property of the University of Upper Canada."
Resolved, — 1 . That this remarkable project of transferring from
the Corporation created by the Crown all the property to which
it is legally or equitably entitled, to another Corporation created
by the Colonial Legislature, seems to have been founded upon an
assumption that, by allowing the Colonial Legislature (most
unwisely, as the event has proved,) to make a few alterations in
the Royal Charter, chiefly for the purpose of dispensing with tests,
which are only matter of positive regulation, in regard to disci-
pline, the identity of the College has been destroyed, so that its
estates have become common property, and may be applied to the
support of any other institution.
2. That such an assumption is clearly contrary to law, as it is
to reason and justice.
(31)
3. That, considering that the privileges which it is thus pro-
posed to abolish were conferred upon King's College by a Royal
Charter, under the great seal of England, that they have not been
in any manner abused, and that no allegation of the kind has
been made the ground of these measures ; considering that the
property which is thus to be torn from its lawful possessors was
granted to King's College by his late Majesty King George the
Fourth, by Letters Patent, such as form the foundation of every
man's title to real estate in Upper Canada ; considering also, that
the Representative of the Crown in this Province is, by the Royal
Charter, Chancellor of the Universty of King's College, we
cannot but think that we might have reasonably looked to the
law officer of the Crown for the most strenuous support in
opposing measures so directly repugnant to the Royal grants as
those of which he has consented to be the introducer.
4. And what aggravates, if it be possible, the injustice of the
proposed measures, is the extraordinary circumstance that, while
by these Bills it is proposed to leave Queen's College and Victoria
College the option of retaining all the privileges of their Charters
or surrendering them at their discretion, and of attaching them-
selves to the intended new University, no such option is to be
afforded to King's College, which is to be stripped peremptorily
and at once, of all the privileges and property which it enjoys
under its Charter.
5. That, except by a short and imperfect memorandum com-
municated to two of its members, which they were not at liberty
to notice or to make the ground of any discussion or proceeding,
no opportunity whatever has been afforded to the Council .of
knowing, still less of addressing themselves officially to the
Government in respect to those measures which seem to have
been deliberately resolved upon, of annihilating the privileges of
the College, and depriving the Corporation of its property.
6. That, upon whatever considerations the Government of this
Province may have thought it right to deny to the Corporation
the protection of those legal principles to which other corporations
throughout the British dominions owe the security of their rights
and property, it is in our opinion, the duty of the College Council
to contend to the utmost against measures which they believe to
be unsanctioned by any precedent or authority ; that if it shall
become necessary, they will appeal for the purpose to the
Government in England, and will pursue every legal remedy
within their power to the last resort, feeling a strong assurance,
that when the subject comes to be calmly discussed and clearly
understood, both the love of justice and the fear of consequences
must lead to the admission that those legal and constitutional
principles which are everywhere essential to the security of
property can no more be withheld from King's College than from
other corporations.
(32)
That if, at the last, it shall appear that the intended destruction
of the rights of the Corporation which we represent must be
successful (which we do not think possible), we shall at the least
have the consolation of having done our duty in resisting mea-
sures such as we believe will have been, up to that time, wholly
without example, but to which cupidity and the love of change,
when found to be unfettered by any legal restrictions, will render
it difficult hereafter to set bounds.
H.
DESPATCH FROM LORD GODERICH TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN
COLBORNE, K.C.B., LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF UPPER CANADA.
Downing Street, 2nd November, 1831.
SIR, — Amongst the subjects which your correspondence, public
and private, with this office has brought under my notice, there
is none more important than the question of public education,
and particularly that part of it which relates to the existing
constitution of King's College, at York.
There can be no doubt that that institution was established
with the view of giving to the Province of Upper Canada the
benefit of complete instruction in all the higher branches of
knowledge, and of connecting, in the minds of the provincial
youth, those associations which belong to the seat of early educa-
tion with their future progress in life ; and it is greatly to be
regretted that any thing in the constitution of the establishment
should have tended to counteract, if not to defeat, this laudable
design, and practically to deprive the Province of the advantage
which was contemplated from its adoption. It cannot, however,
be denied, that the exclusive and restrictive character given to
King's College has had this effect; and a plan which was
intended to bring together, and to harmonize, in the pursuit of
the common object of useful knowledge, all classes of His
Majesty's subjects, has had the opposite effect of causing uneasi-
ness, complaint and dissension.
It is obvious in this state of things (too notorious to require
proof), that it is the duty of His Majesty's Government to consider
what course of policy is most likely to remedy the evil, and to
ensure to the Province a real enjoyment of the advantages
intended to be conferred on it. Had the recommendation of the
Canada Committee of the House of Commons upon this subject
been successfully followed up at the time they were submitted by
you to the Provincial Legislature, under the instructions given to
you by my predecessor, and had the restrictive clauses of the
Charter been then removed, there is every reason to presume that
(33)
such a course would at once have proved satisfactory and effec-
tive. Even now, that measure appears to afford the most easy
and simple means of meeting the difficulty of the case ; and
without entering into a discussion of the probable causes of the
delay in carrying the recommendations of the committee into
effect, some additional facility for now adopting them may be
found in the circumstance, that while no positive steps have been
yet taken for giving to King's College any practical existence, the
new College which you have established has been forwarded
with considerable activity, and is now open for the instruction of
youth. It may therefore be assumed , that experience has demon-
strated that, tinder the peculiar circumstances of Upper Canada,
a college with restrictive tests is altogether inoperative for any
useful purpose, and that all that is wanted is such a system of
regulations to be established by a law of the Province, for the
management of the institution of the Upper Canada College, as
might give it the requisite extension and development, without
subjecting it to any qualification calculated to render it unpopular
in the eyes of those various classes of the community for whose
benefit, as well as for that of the Church of England, it is
established.
I am confirmed in this latter observation by referring to a
Resolution of the House of Assembly, of the 20th of March, 1829,
in which the following opinion is pronounced upon the advan-
tages likely to result from the establishment of Upper Canada
College :—
" Resolved — That this House trusts that no hoped for modifica-
tion of the present Charter will suspend the exertions of His
Excellency to put into operation Colborne College, and by the
observance of those liberal principles which His excellency has
already been pleased to patronize ; and recommend to open, with
as little delay as possible, opportunities of education no way
inferior to those contemplated by the proposed University."
Under these circumstances, I am to convey through you, to the
members of the Corporation of King's College, the earnest recom-
mendation and advice of His Majesty's Government, that they do
forthwith surrender to his Majesty the Charter of King's College
of Upper Canada, \vith any lands which may have been granted
to them. I persuade myself that the counsels which are thus
given to that body, in the spirit of the most perfect respect for all
the individuals by whom it is composed, will not be disregarded ;
as it is on that assumption that I proceed to notice the ulterior
measures which, upon such surrender, it will be convenient to
adopt.
It can scarcely be necessary to say that no part of the endow-
ment of the College would ever be diverted from the great object
of the education of youth. It must be regarded as a fund
sacredly and permanently appropriated to that object. I presume
(34)
that the general concurrence of all classes of society may be
anticipated in favour of the erection of a new College upon a
more enlarged basis.
As it is the intention of His Majesty to manifest his desire that
the internal concerns of the Province should, as far as possible,
be regulated by its own Legislature, I abstain from instructing
you with any particularity on the subject of the general regula-
tions which it may be expedient to apply to the government of
the new College. They will doubtless be well considered by the
Legislature, and adopted in a spirit of justice, mutual harmony,
and good will. But there is one object to which I must direct
your attention, and which you will not fail especially to recom-
mend to the consideration of the Legislature : I mean the per-
manent establishment in the College, upon a secure footing, of a
Divinity Professor of the Church of England. This is a matter
of great importance to those of His Majesty's subjects in Upper
Canada who belong to the Church of England ; and His Majesty,
as Head of that Church, cannot be insensible to the duty which
belongs to him of protecting it in all parts of his dominions. It is
not from any desire to give an undue preponderance to the
colonial members of that Church, either as regards the College in
particular, or the concerns of the Province generally, that His
Majesty has this object at heart ; but when His Majesty cheer-
fully recommends the surrender of a Charter, which the Crown
was lawfully and constitutionally entitled to grant, on account of
the dissatisfaction which its exclusive character has created, he
feels an entire confidence that his faithful subjects the Members
of the two Houses of the Legislature of Upper Canada, will see
nothing in his anxiety for the specific object to which I refer but
a proof, that, whilst he is desirous of remedying all real grie-
vances, and removing all just grounds of discontent, he is not
forgetful of those interests to which he is peculiarly bound to
attend, and which His Majesty is sure can be attended to in this
instance without prejudice of any kind to any other class of his
subjects.
I shall await with much solicitude your report of the result of
the communication which I have now made to you. I am well
aware of the jealousies, not to say animosities, which have been
engendered in the Province by the agitation of this question ; and
it is scarcely to be expected that those feelings can all at once
subside with the cause that gave them birth ; nor can I conceal
from myself that there may be prejudices and habits of thinking
which may not easily be reconciled to the adoption of the new
system: but it cannot be the interest of any class of Christians to
be an object of jealousy, perhaps of dislike, to those who, differing
upon certain points of doctrine and discipline, find themselves
debarred by the effect of that difference from an equal share in
advantages universally desired, because universally beneficial.
(35)
It will be your especial duty to use every exertion to impress
upon all classes the incalculable importance of looking at all
questions of this description with moderation and forbearance.
The members of the Church of England should recollect the
peculiar situation in which they stand, in the midst of a popula-
tion of whom so large a portion differs from them in religious
opinions ; how much that situation exposes them to the chance of
painful collision with large masses of their fellow-subjects ; and
how much the extension of their own Church depends upon the
absence of all grounds for such collision. Those who, on the
other hand, differ from them, ought not to forget the causes which
drew to the Church of England the marked countenance of the
British Parliament upon the first establishment of a Legislative
Assembly in Canada. Many ancient and laudable associations of
feeling and long attachment to the Established Church, whose
rights and privileges centuries of legal and constitutional pos-
sessions had consolidated, created a natural predilection in the
English Parliament for the national Church, even in the more
remote possessions of the Crown ; and if a difference of circum-
stances in Upper Canada has prevented such sentiments from
taking extensive root there, every religious man, be his mode of
faith and his views of Church discipline what they may, must
feel that the interests of religion, and its concomitant morals,
cannot prosper amidst heartburnings and jealousies.
If, therefore, it be fitting to call upon the Church to forego the
exclusive advantages which the present Charter of King's Col-
lege confers upon it, it is no less incumbent upon all other classes
of Christians to receive the boon now tendered to them in that
conciliating spirit by which alone His Majesty's subjects can be
united by those common ties of mutual attachment which con-
stitute the strength, and mature the prosperity of nations.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
(Signed) GODERICH.
(36)
PETITION TO THE HONOURABLE THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF
THE PROVINCE OF CANADA.
The Petition of John, by Divine Permission,) BisJwp of Toronto,
MOST RESPECTFULLY SHEWETH I
That a Bill has been introduced for the adoption of your
Honourable House, intituled " An Act to amend the Charter of
the University established at Toronto by His late Majesty King
George the Fourth ; to provide for the more satisfactory Govern-
ment of the said University ; and for other purposes connected
with the same, and with the College and Grammar School,
forming an appendage thereof."
That this Bill contains enactments which are, in the humble
opinion of your Memorialist, of the most blighting character, and
by no means in accordance with the title ; for instead of being
confined to some modification of the Government, they go to
deprive King's College of all the privileges conferred upon it by
its Royal Charter, and apply the endowment granted for its sup-
port by the Crown to the establishment of an institution wholly
different, to be created by the passing of this bill.
That King's College, thus sought to be destroyed with the
avowed intention of taking for other purposes the property and
estates which it holds under a Royal grant, has been for six years
in successful operation under its Charter, — that it is legally incor-
porated by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of England, — •
that no ground of forfeiture has been shewn, such as might
subject a Corporation upon a proper legal proceeding to the loss
of its privileges, nor is it even pretented to be in fault ; but it is
assumed that your Honourable House is at liberty to deal at your
pleasure Avith the Constitution and Property of King's College, as
if neither the Corporation nor the one-fourth at least of the inha-
bitants of Upper Canada interested in the objects it was intended
to promote, had any rights under it to claim or protect.
That your Petitioner has observed with extreme regret that
this measure has been introduced into your Honourable House
with the sanction of the Colonial Government, but your Petitioner
will not yet abandon the hope that they will not persevere in
urging enactments to which he believes a large majority of the
population of Upper Canada are in principle opposed, and which
they not only consider unwise but would feel to be unjust.
(37)
_*
That the pretences upon which some persons profess to rely for
justifying such an interference with corporate privileges and
vested rights, which is in its nature and degree unprecedented
are wholly groundless, and can be in the plainest manner dis-
proved by the public official Acts, and Communications of the
Imperial and Colonial Governments : that the power wholly to
subvert a Royal Charter granted for such a purpose, and to take
from a Corporation its property in the absence of any alleged
abuse, has never been assumed by the Imperial Parliament, and
that the exercise of such a power by the Colonial Legislature, in
this instance would be inconsistent with that measure of protec-
tion which similar institutions, founded in British Colonies by
the same authority, have received from the ruling power, even
after the countries in which they were founded had become
foreign to the British Crown. That it is entirely without reason
that the despatches of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to
a former Lieutenant-Governor in Upper Canada (of the 2nd
November, 1831, and the 17th June, 1835,) have been advanced
as a foundation for this farther interference with King's College,
because, since those despatches were written, the College has
been placed, and is now actually conducted on the very footing
which his late Majesty was pleased to recommend in his Royal
communication of 2nd November, 1831, in which His Majesty
stipulated in the most earnest terms for the permanent establish-
ment in the College of a Professor of Divinity, upon a secure
footing, of the Church of England, declaring it to be a matter of
great importance to those of His Majesty's subjects in Upper
Canada, who belong to the Church of England ; and that His
Majesty, as the head of that Church, could not be insensible to
the duty which belonged to him of protecting it in all parts of
his dominions.
The scheme embodied in the bill introduced to your Hon-
ourable House is cumbersome, expensive and unwieldy, and has
never yet been tried in any part of the world, and must in prac-
tice create jealousies and distrust, and destroy everything like
harmony in the working of the institution.
Your Petitioner farther represents that the leading feature of the
bill is the express exclusion of all religious instruction and wor-
ship, and so jealous do its whole tone and provisions appear on
this important point that they admit not of the slightest reference
to this, the basis of all true education, and even proscribe Clergy-
men or Ecclesiastics from any share in its Government. And
thus the men best qualified to gain a living influence over the
hearts and minds of the youth, are prevented from communicating
with them on the most important of all subjects.
That such an utter interdiction of every thing religious as this
bill seeks to establish by Legistative enactment, is without pre-
cedent among Christian nations, and can never be submitted to
(38)
by men really serious and in earnest. An institution which
drives away all those who, from their living faith, warmth of
disposition, and sincerity of purpose, are the best qualified to train
the young to all that is pure, lovely, and sublime in religion, and
noble in science, must become the abhorrence of Christian parents,
who can look upon it in no other light than that of an infidel
College, dead to all sense of religious truth, and unworthy of
the blessing of Heaven.
That this bill in its enactments not only exhibits a striking
opposition to religious truth, but also implies peculiar enmity to
the United Church of England and Ireland, while at the same
time the rights and privileges of the Colleges of other denomina-
tions, which are far more exclusive than the Charter of King's
College has ever been, are scrupulously maintained.
Your Petitioner farther submits that should this measure
become law, the noble endowment granted by our late Sovereign
for the support of King's College, will be wasted in the vain
attempt to sustain a University upon a system which enlightened
reason and conscience must ever condemn, which is not sanc-
tioned by experience in any age or country, nor, as your Peti-
tioner believes, by the feelings and opinions of any considerable
number of those (of whatever religious denomination) who can
best appreciate the objects of a University education, and who
alone are likely to avail themselves of its advantages for the
instruction of their children.
That your Petitioner need scarcely declare to your Honourable
House that the United Church of England and Ireland can have
no connection with such an institution ; for she is bound by her
interpretation of Christian truth, as embodied in her articles and
formularies, to repudiate and reject a system of education not
founded on religious principles, and he, therefore, most earnestly
entreats your Honourable House not to sanction a measure which
tends wholly to separate the Members of the Provincial Univer-
sity, and to deprive their youth of all the advantages of a
collegiate education, for which the endowment bestowed by the
Crown was intended to provide.
That your Petitioner would deplore this sacrifice the more,
because he is aware that while King's College might be preserved
in all its integrity, there are most ample means within the power
of the Government of endowing Colleges in connexion with other
denominations, upon principles which they have all shewn them-
selves to prefer ; or King's College might surrender part of its
endowment for the support of a Medical College, being restored to
the position in which it was placed by its original Charter, with
such modifications only as would separate it entirely from any-
thing like political influence or agitation, might serve though less
efficiently than was at first intended, for the education of the
members of the United Church of England and Ireland.
(39)
Your Petitioner farther represents that whatever may be the
motive for bringing forward this measure, it will not settle the
question, but, on the contrary, furnish new sources of irritation,
for its provisions do violence to the plainest constitutional prin-
ciples, and by indirectly confining the granting of degrees to the
proposed institution, the Queen is restrained in the exercise of
one of the most unquestionable prerogatives of her Crown, a pre-
rogative of the Sovereign, as the fountain of honour, which has
never been meddled with by Parliament, nor has a Minister ever
been found in England capable of proposing any thing so disre-
spectful to Royalty as that contemplated by this Bill.
Your Petitioner submits that this measure attempts to reverse
some of the most approved and cherished principles of the present
age, for it desires to establish a most rigid and oppressive nono-
poly over mind, which of .all things ought to be the most free, and
to impose on the deluded public a mutilated sort of education,
far inferior in quality and character to what may be easily
attained, had we in this Province, as in England and Scotland,
rival institutions.
Your Petitioner farther represents that the bill attempts to
legislate for a very small fraction of the population of Upper
Canada, to the virtual exclusion of the great majority from a
collegiate education — a fraction noisy from ignorance, but alto-
gether disqualified from appreciating the value of sound know-
ledge, and which has seldom the means, or inclination, to avail
itself of the respectable seminaries of instruction.
That not only will the members of the Church of England be
virtually excluded from all participation in the proposed College,
but the Roman Catholics also ; from the utter proscription of
religion, the substance and marrow of all education, as is declared
in their Petition for aid to their College at Kingston, now before
your Honourable House. Nor is there any good ground for
assuming that either the Presbyterians or Methodists, or any of
the other numerous and respectable Denominations, will patronize
an institution where the name of the Saviour is never heard.
And those who have Colleges of their own will cling to them
more closely than ever, for the Government can offer them
nothing so valuable as that which they are requested to give up.
Their Charters place them, in honour, by the side of the British
Universities ; but were they so regardless of their honour and
interests as to listen to the invitations of this bill, they would sink
into deserved contempt. Fortunately they have no power to
make a surrender of such rights and privileges, for they are not
confined to the Officers or Trustees of their respective Colleges,
but belong to all their people. Hence your Petitioner infers, that
if the Methodists and Presbyterians retain the power of conferring
degrees, the Church of England cannot be long deprived of the
same privilege.
(40)
Your Petitioner most respectfully submits that the operation of
this measure reverses the received axiom, that legislation should
be for the benefit of the greater number. By the last census the
population of Upper Canada is 721,000
The Church of England, which cannot connect
itself with the proposed College, gives ... 171,751
The Church of Rome do 123,707
The Wesleyan Methodists, who do not require
it, having a College of their own 90,363
The Kirk of Scotland, do 69,900
Those who will not profit by the proposed
College 453,271
Leaving to profit by this measure 267,729
Even this is too much in favour of the
measure, for the Scottish Free Church, and
your Petitioner believes the Congregationalists,
disapprove of the principle of excluding religion
from education, in which case they will soon
have Colleges of their own.
Scottish Free Church 64,729
Congregationalists 20,372
To be farther deducted 85,101
Leaving to profit by the proposed College 182,178
But even from this must be deducted many denominations
who disregard Universities, and such knowledge as they impart.
Hence the bill legislates for less than one-fourth, and as half of
these will not use the privilege, the Legislature will, by passing
the measure, sacrifice the feelings and interests of the great
majority of the inhabitants of Upper Canada to a small" and
clamorous fraction.
Your Petitioner farther submits that a still more perfect test of
the classes which more especially employ Colleges as the seats of
learning, would be found by ordering a return of the Students
attending such institutions, and of the denominations to which
their parents respectively belong. This beyond every other
argument would show the impolicy of this bill, and the great
injustice which it inflicts.
Your Petitioner farther represents that the argument used by
some to defend this measure, on the ground that it is similar to
that which was adopted in the Parent State for the foundation
of certain secular colleges in Ireland, is altogether falacious, since
whatever may be thought of the principle there adopted, it did
not sacrifice the interests of the National Church as this measure
does. No class could complain of injustice, however much they
might deplore the avowed indifference manifested to the Christian
(41)
religion. But the bill before your Honourable House not only
adopts all that is evil in the Irish measure, but farther deprives
the members of the Church of England of their rights and College
endowment, and gives to the bill a revolutionary character.
Your Petitioner begs permission in all due respect, to request
your honourable house to consider how the Government and
people of England will reason when they learn that the Legis-
lative Assembly in Canada, a great portion being Roman Catho-
lics and Dissenters, gave Presbyterians and Methodists Charters
establishing Colleges, and also pecuniary assistance to a con-
siderable amount, wrhile the same legislative body not only
deprived the Church of England of the Charter of King's College,
granted to her by our late Sovereign King George the Fourth,
but despoiled her of the whole of the endowment, the gift of the
same sovereign, and refused to allow her to retain even the
smallest portion of her own property, to enable her to educate the
youth of her Communion for the different professions, and the
continuance of her Ministry, and to supply vacancies continually
happening in that Ministry, and extend her blessed ordinances to
the destitute settlements of the Province. In fine, from the
injustice of this measure, which seeks to crush the National
Church, and peril her existence, may be seen her imminent
danger, and that the most cruel of all oppressions, that of
shackling the mind, and withdrawing the means of acquiring a
liberal education for their children, is impending upon more than
one-fourth of the inhabitants of Upper Canada : this, it would
appear, from no other reason than that they belong to the
established Church of the Empire, which the Sovereign has
sworn to maintain inviolate.
From all which your Petitioner, with all due respect to your
Honourable House, enters his most solemn Protest in behalf of
the Church of England against this bill, and the provisions
thereof as most injurious to her interests, and subversive of her
just rights and privileges — as unconstitutional, and pregnant with
future evils, both to Upper and Lower Canada.
All which is most humbly submitted j and your Petitioner, as
in duty bound will ever pray.
JOHN TORONTO*
April 13, 1849.
K.
1.
To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty, —
We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Clergy
and Laity of the United Church of England and Ireland, inha-
biting that part of British North America which formerly com-
posed the Province of Upper Canada, most humbly represent.
That after the peace of 1783, this portion of your Majesty's
dominions became the asylum of those faithful Loyalists, who,
during the Revolutionary war with the Colonies, now the
United States, shed their blood and sacrificed their property in
adhering to their King and the Unity of the Empire.
That the Parent State, anxious to prove her grateful sense of
their affectionate and disinterested services in a way the most
agreeable to their wishes and feelings, conferred upon them in
1791, a form of Government similar to her own ; and in order
that the State, as at home, might be sanctified by religion, pro-
vision was made, at the express command of Your Majesty's
Royal Grandfather, in the Constitutional Act for its support,
according to the form of the United Church of England and
Ireland, by setting apart for that, the most important of all
objects, a portion of the waste lands of the Crown.
That in the Spring of 1797, the Legislature of Upper Canada
addressed their beloved Sovereign George III., of blessed memory,
for a portion of the waste lands of the Crown, to produce a fund
for the purpose of education, and more especially for the support
of Grammar Schools and a University.
To this Address a most gracious answer was returned, granting
their request, and expressing His Majesty's paternal regard for
the welfare of his loyal subjects in the furtherance of an object so
important as the instruction of their youth in sound learning and
the principles of the Christian religion.
That soon after, the Colonial Government appropriated for the
required object five hundred thousand acres of land, one half for
the support of Grammar Schools, and the other half for the
establishment of a University.
That the slow advance of the Colony in wealth and population
during the wars which so long desolated Europe, delaying for
many years the establishment of the University ; but though
(43)
postponed, it was never lost sight of: and in 1827, a Royal
Charter was granted by his late Majesty King George IV.,
erecting a College or University within the Province of Upper
Canada, in which the wishes of his Royal father are embodied,
as it provides " for the education of youth in the principles of the
Christian religion, and for their instruction in the various
branches of science and literature which are taught in the
Universities of this Kingdom." Your Majesty's humble peti-
tioners would further represent, that steps were immediately
taken to secure by Royal Patent the valuable endowment granted
at the same time with the Charter, and measures adopted for
opening the University and commencing the business of instruc-
tion ; but before this could be accomplished, a Despatch was
received by the Lieut.-Governor, Sir John Colborne, now Lord
Seaton, bearing date the 2nd of December, 1831, recommending,
at the express desire of His Majesty King William IV., such
reasonable modifications as might satisfy certain adversaries of
the Charter, but at the same time stating that no part of the
endowment of the College would ever be diverted from the great
object of the education of youth, and that it must ever be
regarded as sacredly and permantly appropriated to that important
object ; and His Majesty earnestly recommends to the considera-
tion of the Legislature the permanent establishment in the
College of a Professor of Divinity of the Church of England upon
a sure footing, — declaring it to be a matter of great importance
to those of his subjects in Upper Canada who belong to the
Church of England, and that His Majesty, as head of that
Church, could not be insensible to the duty which belonged to
him of protecting it in all parts of his dominions.
That, in accordance with the wishes of your Majesty's Royal
Uncle, the Statute 7 William IV., chapter 16, was passed by the
Legislature of Upper Canada, which satisfied by its modification*
all the objections of the more reasonable of the opponents of the
Charter ; and as they neither trenched on the endowment of the
University, nor on its religious character, though in other respects
objectionable, the authorities of the College, for the sake of peace,
were reluctantly induced to acquiesce in their enactment.
That these modifications, like all unreasonable concessions of
principle to factious clamour, produced only a transient calm.
The enemies of the National Church, implacable in their hostility,
and encouraged by unlooked-for success, again assailed King's
College, after it had been in prosperous operation for more than
six years, without any complaint as to its management or manner
of instruction, and without any second invitation on the part of
the Crown, and were again successful, — not merely in effecting
partial changes, but in accomplishing the complete destruction of
what might have been the noblest Seminary on the continent of
America.
(44)
Your Majesty's dutiful subjects would farther represent that the
Act thus passed by the Legislature of Canada, on the 30th of May
last, not only destroys King's College, and in effect confiscates
the whole of its endowment, but establishes a secular College,
from which religious instruction is expressly excluded, and this in
direct opposition to the wishes and invitations of three Monarchs,
and to the chief object for which it was prayed for and enacted,
namely, — the religious instruction of youth, and the training of
such as were inclined for the holy Ministry ; and that no loyal
and grateful feelings may hereafter associate *< King's College "
with its Royal benefactors, the very name is suppressed, and
" University of Toronto " substituted in its room.
That your Majesty's humble petitioners need scarcely represent
that they were filled with grief and dismay at this unjust and
ungodly act of legislation, unexampled as they believe in British
history, and that they can have no confidence in, or connexion
with, an educational institution in which the voice of prayer and
praise can never be heard, and from which — by the abolition of
all religious services — the acknowledgment of the Deity and
belief in the Saviour are excluded. By the passing of this Act,
— should it unfortunately be confirmed by your Majesty, — nearly
two hundred thousand of your Majesty's most loyal and devoted
subjects, who belong to the National Church, will be deprived of
the means which they enjoyed, through the bounty of the Crown,
of educating their children in the Christian Faith, or of bringing
up such as are disposed to the holy Ministry ; from all which
your Majesty will perceive that the welfare of that Church, of
which your Majesty is the constitutional head and protector, is
placed in imminent peril.
Your Majesty's loyal subjects farther represent, that they have
the pledge of no fewer than three Sovereigns for the integrity of
King's College as a Protestant religious Seminary, according to
the order of the Church of England, and for the safety of its
endowment ; and they are the more encouraged to claim the
fulfilment of this sacred and royal pledge, from the fact, that the
endowments of Louis XIV., in Lower Canada, nearly ten times
the amount of those granted to King's College, are reverently
respected ; while the only Seminary belonging to the Church of
England is not merely rendered useless to the cause of religion,
hut will be utterly destroyed, and a godless institution established
in its stead, unless your Majesty shall graciously interfere, by the
exercise of your royal prerogative, to prevent it.
Your Majesty's humble petitioners most respectfully represent,
that they have been brought up to fear God and honour the King ;
they have ever held the promise of their Sovereign sacred and
worthy of all trust, and so trusting, they did not presume, when
lands were cheap in the Province, and an endowment might
have been easily obtained, to stand between the grace of the
(45)
Sovereign and the people ; nor were they prepared for the disre-
gard to the royal prerogative and the just claims of the National
Church manifested by the late Act ; which Act they consider
more unaccountable and unjust, because the same Legislature
has abundant means at its disposal of endowing as many Colleges
as it pleases, without the slightest detriment to any one, and
of leaving that of their Sovereign and her religion free and
untouched. For all we ask is simply to retain the advantage
which is actually enjoyed by every other body of Christians in
Upper Canada, — of having one place of public education, in
which their young men may be religiously instructed, and such
as desire it trained to the holy Ministry, and not to have an
endowment wrested from us which our Sovereign has granted
for that purpose.
Your dutiful and loyal subjects, may it please your Majesty,
would farther observe, in deep anguish of heart, that there was a
time when the word of the Sovereign was felt to be as secure as
the stability of the Empire. And shall suCh a time be allowed
to pass away 1 The truth of the Sovereign and the affection of
the people are correlative, as the one cannot live without the
other ; yet nearly one-third of the inhabitants of this noble
Colony are suffering in their dearest rights and interests from an
Act which they feel to be extremely opposite. They are deprived
of their University and endowment, although thrice guaranteed
by the Crown, and by this they lose the power of conferring
degrees in Arts and Divinity, which virtually passes on them a
sentence of proscription from all such offices of profit and honour
as require a degree to qualify for their attainment. Above all,
they are deprived of the means of bestowing on their children
an education based on religion, — the only education worth pos-
sessing.
Under such trying circumstances, to whom can they go for
redress but to your Majesty, in whose maternal affection they put
their trust, as many of them now far advanced in life have done
in that of your Majesty's predecessors] Permit us, then, to hope,
that your Majesty will lend a gracious ear to this our humble
supplication ; that, influenced by your exalted position as head
of the Church, you will cause the pledge of three Sovereigns to
be redeemed by the restoration of King's College in all its effici-
ency, with such modifications of its original Charter as shall
separate it entirely from politics, and allow it to proceed in its
work of scientific and religious instruction in security and peace.
And your Majssty's dutiful and loyal petitioners, as in duty
bound, will ever pray.
(46)
To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in
Parliament assembled :
The humble Petition of the Clergy and Laity of the United
Church of England and Ireland, residing m Upper Canada,
most respectfully sheweth, —
That an Act was passed by the Legislature of Canada on the
thirtieth of May last, intituled, " An Act to amend the Charter
of the University established at Toronto, by His late Majesty
King George IV., to provide for the more satisfactory government
of the said Universif^, and for other purposes connected with the
same, and with the College and Royal Grammar School forming
an appendage thereof."
That this Act contains provisions most injurious to your Peti-
tioners, and the National Church of which they are Members,
since it virtually destroys the Charter and confiscates the
endowment of Ring's College ; which Charter was granted by
His late Majesty King George IV., on the fifteenth day of March
one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, and in the eighth
year of his reign, for the purpose, as the preamble expressly sets
forth, of educating the youth of Upper Canada in the principles
of the Christian religion, and for their instruction in the various
branches of science and literature which are taught in the
Universities of Great Britain and Ireland.
That the Charter and endowment of King's College were
solicited by His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, then Governor
of Upper Canada, who urged upon the Imperial Government the
wisdom of granting a boon so necessary to the prosperity and
well being of the Colony, and one of the special objects of the
prayer was that the College should be so constituted as to educate
youth for the clerical as well as the other liberal Professions as in
the Mother Country — hence Oxford University is named in the
Charter as the model to be followed.
Your Lordships' Petitioners further represent, that in accord-
ance with this prayer, provision was made in the Charter for
educating young men for the Ministry of the Church of England,
by establishing a Professorship of Divinity, while at the same
time scholars and even Professors were freely admitted to all the
secular advantages of the University, and might proceed to any
degree, except in Divinity, without any test whatever. Hence
although the University of King's College was in its government
. (47)
under the Church of England, yet all the benefits which it was
able to confer were accessible to the youth of the whole popula-
tion, with the exception of the Divinity department, which would
only be desired by those who were members of the National
Church, unless other doctrines were to be inculcated. Indeed
there was nc period before the repeal of the Test-laws when there
could have been the least reason for expecting or even imagining
that a Charter establishing a University so open in its provisions
could have been granted and endowed by the Crown except in
connexion with the Church of the Empire.
That although King's College was the most open University
which up to that period had ever been established by the Crown,
a clamour was raised against it in the Colony upon no more
reasonable grounds than that it recognized a distinction between
the Church of England and the various sects which differ from
her. The motives and objects which led to this clamour and
consequent attacks, were in this country well understood and
appreciated. It \vas impossible to give credit to the authors of
them for honesty of purpose, when it was perceived with how
little scruple they perverted and misstated the conditions and
effect of the Charter of w^hich they complained. But, being
encouraged and aided by a party in England and not withstood
by Government as they might have successfully been, if some
degree of confidence had been shown in supporting what was
just and right, they prevailed, and after some years of delay and
agitation, the Secretary of State invited the Legislature to suggest
such alterations and amendments in the Charter as they might
deem useful and expedient.
Your Lordships' Petitioners most respectfully represent that
no man who values what is good and stable in government, can
for a moment doubt that this was a most unwise and unfortunate
course. It was wholly without example, that a Colonial Assem-
bly should be allowed, by their acts, to mutilate a Eoyal Charter
which had been granted by the government after long delibera-
tion, under the great seal of the United Kingdom.
The mischiefs which were sure to flow from such a proceeding
have been apparent from the moment a course so irregular and
unconstitutional was permitted, and they are brought to the
worst possible result in the Act which has just passed. For
instead of confining itself to some modifications of the Royal
Charter, the utmost extent to which that invitation could with
propriety be construed, this Act totally destroys King's College
and creates an Institution of a character wholly different. Instead
of being religious, the leading feature is the total exclusion of all
Christian -worship, and so horrible are its tone and provisions on
this important point that it even proscribes clergymen from
giving any professional instruction whatever on the most impor-
tant of all subjects. Such on utter interdiction of everything
(48) .
religious as this Act seeks to establish, is without precedent among
Christian nations. It drives away all those who from their
living Faith, warmth of disposition, and sincerity of purpose, are
best qualified to train the young to all that is lovely and sublime
in religion, pure in morals, and noble in science.
Your Lordships' petitioners would further represent that the
Royal pledge given to the Church of England in the provisions of
the Charter is altogether disregarded— the property and estates,
in effect, confiscated, every vestige of Christianity banished, and
King's College abolished, and its property applied to purposes
as different from those intended by the Iloyal donors as light
from darkness. That no ground of forfeiture has been shewn,
such as might subject a corporation upon a proper legal proceed-
ing to the loss of its privileges, nor is it even pretended to be in
fault ; yet the Act deals with the constitution and property of
King's College as if neither the corporation nor the numerous
inhabitants of Upper Canada interested in the object it was
intended to promote Tiad any rights under it to claim or protect.
By the documents annexed, it is distinctly shewn that more
than three-fourths of the population of Canada West are in prin-
ciple opposed to this Act, or to any educational institution
divested of a religious character ; and that not only His late
Majesty King George III., who first set apart the endowment,
and His late Majesty King C4eorge IV., who granted the charter,
intended the College so to be established for the education of
youth in sound learning and the principles of the Christian
religion, but his late Majesty King William IV. -was also pleased
distinctly to recommend in the most earnest manner the perma-
nent establishment in King's College of a Professor of Divinity,
even when consenting to some minor alterations, declaring it to
be a matter of great importance to his subjects in Upper Canada
who belong to the Church of England, and that His Majesty, as
head of that Church, could not be insensible to the duty wliich
belonged to him of protecting it in all parts of his dominions.
Your Lordships will perceive that, while the acts and earnestly-
expressed wishes of three British monarchs are set at nought,
more than two millions of acres for educational and charitable
purposes, for the benefit of the French population in Lower
Canada, as if to shew how far British feelings can be insulted,
and the commands of Lotiis the XIV. held sacred, and the French
Colleges supported and cherished. Not that your Petitioners
desire the confiscation of one of these acres or the suppression of
one of these Colleges; but surely it is not too much for British
hearts to expect that the wishes of no fewer than three of tin-M-
own Kings should meet with as much reverence as those of one
foreign prince. Atprrson t In- contrast is truly humiliating.
Your Lordships'* Petitioners would further represent, that, an
Act so iniquitous and unjust could never, as they believe,
(49)
passed but for the unhappy union of the two Provinces. The
French members, added to a certain class of members in. Upper
Canada, will commonly be found an overwhelming majority
where the interests of the Church or a sincere attachment to the
Mother Country are concerned. And yet so strongly was the
injustice of this measure felt, that a majority in its favour might
.not, it is believed, have been found to pass it in the Legislative
Council, had not the constitution been infringed by the intro-
duction of twelve additional members. Since this unfortunate
step was taken, the Legislative Council, which was intended as
a check against sudden and unjust legislation, has, in public
opinion, become utterly incapable of affording that protection.
Your Lordships' Petitioners most respectfully represent, that
the argument used by some to defend this measure, on the ground
that it is similar to that which was acted upon by the Parent
State in the formation of certain secular colleges in Ireland, is
altogether fallacious ; for, whatever may be thought of the prin-
ciple then adopted, no vested rights were invaded, nor the
endowment of any institution as in this case confiscated
without cause. Moreover, no class in Ireland could complain of
positive injustice, because there were other seminaries of instruc-
tion to which those who found themselves aggrieved might send
their youth. But in Upper Canada the Church of England had
but one college, and that one is taken away by this Act of the
Legislature ; while the same Legislature has granted charters to
colleges for Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Methodists
exclusively, as well as pecuniary aid to a considerable amount.
Your Lorships' Petitioners most respectfully represent, that
neither the clergy nor the conscientious members of the Church
can have any connection with a University such as the Act
establishes, which repudiates religion, and in which the voice of
praise is never to be heard. And this is the more to be deplored,
because King's College might have been easily preserved in all
its integrity ; for government has ample means at its disposal to
endow colleges in connexion with other denominations upon
principles which they prefer. In this way all parties would have
been satisfied, and King's College restored to the position in
which it was originally placed, with such modifications only
as would have separated it entirely from political influence and
agitation, and thus made it a blessing to the country. But this
settles nothing, while it throws every thing in confusion. It
legislates for a small fraction of the population, few of which
desire or can avail themselves of the instruction it offers. It holds
out, indeed, terms of incorporation to the other colleges ; but they
are of so degrading a character, without any countervailing
advantages, that it is not probable that they will in any case be
accepted. Thus the only thing as yet accomplished by the
statute is the destruction of King's College, and the confiscation
(50)
of its property, by the exercise of power which the Imperial Par-
liament has never assumed in the worst of times, and which our
most able Judges have declared to be unconstitutional and revo-
lutionary : the truth of which opinion is proved from the fact,
that similar institutions to that of King's College, founded in the
British colonies, have received from the ruling power ample pro-
tection, after the countries in which they were founded had
become foreign to the British crown. Thus the colleges founded
by the Kings and Queens of England in the colonies, now the
United States, are still cherished and preserved, and their
endowments not only held sacred but largely increased.
Permit your humble Petitioners to entreat the attention of your
Lordships to the position in which this Act seeks to reduce the
Church of England in this populous diocese. While the Roman
Catholis, the Methodists, and the Church of Scotland have col-
leges exclusively their own, — the two latter under Royal charters
from the Crown, with the power of conferring degrees in arts
and divinity, — the National Church, with nearly as many mem-
bers as all these put together, is deprived of her one college, and
driven to have recourse to a temporary institution for training
some of her young men to the ministry ; otherwise her vacancies
could not be supplied or her light extended to the waste places
of the Province. Nor was even the site of a few acres reserved,
on which your Petitioners, by their own contributions and the
assistance of their friends, might hope to erect buildings for the
purpose of the secular and religious instruction of their children.
Your Lordships' Petitioners feel sadly humbled thus to be
compelled to supplicate for relief from an act of complicated
oppression, which seeks without cause to crush the National
Church, and even to peril her existence in Upper Canada ; and
not only this, but to shackle the minds and destroy the eternal
hopes of the rising generation, by compelling them to adopt a
system of education which as Christians they must always abhor ;
and all this, it would appear, for no other reason than that your
Lordships' Petitioners belong to the Church which the Sovereign
has sworn to maintain inviolate, and have been ever faithful to
the Crown.
Your Lordships' Petitioners would further most respectfully
represent, that nearly two hundred thousand loyal subjects of
Her Majesty, who have risked their lives more than once to
preserve the unity of the empire, have deep interest in your
Lordships' decision ; and should it prove adverse, they must con-
clude that either the power or the will of the Imperial Parliament
to protect them against injustice is wanting.
The University Act, of more than eighty complicated clauses,
was, your Lordships' Petitioners are credibly informed, passed
by the Legislative Council in twenty minutes, without one
reading! having, as the phrase is. been read short, — that i»,
(51)
merely the title, — the sudden addition of twelve niembers ren-
dering the House impatient of delay. Such a state of things
cannot long exist without rapidly increasing the evil ; and even
already, the loyal and attached portion of the population are full
of despondency, or becoming estranged from the Parent State, as
the wildness or unsoundness of the projects now afloat in the
Province so fatally testify.
In conclusion, Your Petitioners most respectfully implore your
Lordships to bear in mind that they are merely seeking to retain
the same advantage which is at this moment enjoyed by every
other body of Christians in Upper Canada, — that of having one
place or college, with its means of support the gift of the crown,
in which their youth may be trained in religious as well as
secular knowledge. As, therefore, your Lordships reverence true
religion and the unity of the empire, we, your humble Petitioners,
entreat the disallowance of this Act ; against which we solemnly
protest, as injurious to our holy Church, and subversive of our
rights and privileges as Englishmen, and which is at the same
time unconstitutional, and pregnant with the greatest evil to
Canada and the British Empire. And permit us further to pray,
that justice may be done in the premises ; and that the solemn
pledges of three illustrious Sovereigns may be honourably
redeemed, by recommending the restoration of our University of
King's College.
And your Lordships' Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray.
L.
Gentlemen in Holy Orders, who have been in attendance at the
Theological Institution, Cobourg:
Allen, J. W Kingston.
Anderson , Gustavus Mohawk , Bay of Quinte.
Bartlett, P. G Now in England.
Brent, Henry Barriefield.
Bousfield, Thomas Wolf Island.
Belt,W Dundas.
Bull, G. A St. Catharines.
Barrett, G Deceased.
Brown, Charles Malahide.
Bowen, E. C „ ,. Sydenham.
(52)
Beck, J.R. W Rice Lake.
Clarke, W. C Pakenham.
Dillon, M. M Antigua, West Indies.
Ede, J. H Now in the West Indies.
Edge, John Now in England.
Fauquiere, F. D Zorra.
Garrett, Richard Brock.
Godfrey, James Niagara District.
Groves, F. J. J Victoria District.
Harding, Robert Emily.
Hickie, John Fenelon Falls.
Hamilton, James Now in England.
Harris, James Eastern District.
^Ingles, C. L Drummondville.
Jamieson, Andrew Walpole Island.
Johnson, W. A Scarborough.
Ker, Mathew March.
Kennedy, John Mohawk, Grand River.
Lampman, A rchibald London District.
Logan, William Cartwright.
McKenzie, J. G. D Toronto.
Merritt, R. N Barton.
Mockridge, James Warwick.
Muloch,"j. A At&lphustown.
Patterson, E Stratford.
Plees, H. E Kemptville.
Read, J. Bolton Port Burwell.
Ruttan, Chtuies '... Paris.
Shirley, Paul Camden East.
Shanklin, R Oakville.
Simpson, J. E Deceased.
Stimson, E. R Mount Pleasant.
Thomas, J. Lloyd Deceased.
Tooke, J. R Marysburgh.
Wilson, John Grafton.
Worrell, J. B Smith's Falls.
(53)
M:
Correspondence of the Lord Bishop with the Right Honorable Lord
Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
LONDON, Bury Street, St. James's
May 17th, 1850.
LrfBy-W --^ii' -•:> ;
MY LORD,
I have the honour to state, for your Lordship's information,
that I am the bearer of a petition to Her Majesty the Queen, signed
by more than eleven thousand members of the Church of England
in Upper Canada, on the subject of the University of King's Col-
lege. This document, of which I take the liberty of enclosing a
printed copy, I am anxious to present, when it may be convenient
for your Lordship to receive it.
I have also charge of petitions to the two branches of the Impe-
rial Parliament on the same subject, but these I trust I shall not be
under the necessity of presenting, should a course which has sug-
gested itself to me, fortunately meet with your Lordship's favorable
consideration — a course which, without offending any one, would
enable me to attain, in a very moderate degree, the great object
which I have at heart, and for which I have been labouring more
than fifty years — namely, the establishment of a Church University,
and in a way that would set at rest the vexed question of King's
College in the Colony, and be felt as an act of Royal Grace, pro-
ceeding from your Lordship's seasonable interference, by more than
two hundred thousand of the most respectable and attached subjects
of the Queen in Western Canada.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
Signed, JOHN TORONTO.
The Right Hon'ble
. LORD GREY,
H. M. Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies.
(54)
LONDON, 19, Bury Street, Si. James's
C9th May, 1850.
MT LORD,
I beg permission to enclose a Memorandum of the
scheme alluded to in the letter, which I had the honor to address to
your Lordship on the 17th instant, for establishing, without assist-
ance from the Colonial Government, a University in connection with
our Church, and receiving only from Our Gracious Soverign what
other denominations have long enjoyed — a Charter of Incorporation
providing for the government of the Institution and granting it the
privilege of conferring Degrees.
Your Lordship will, I trust, do justice to the course which I
thus seek to pursue, and which, if concurred in by your Lordship,
will enable the Church quietly to withdraw from further discussion
on the subject in Canada, and to leave her enemies in the unmolest-
ed enjoyment of the Royal Endowment of which we have been
most unjustly deprived, since it would appear that the Imperial
Government can offer no remedy.
In this way the proposed Church University will be entirely
separated from political agitation of every description, and be able
to proceed in her work of religious and scientific instruction, though
perhaps on a diminished scale, in security and peace.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
The Right Honorable EARL GREY,
&c., &c., &c.
Memorandum of a Scheme for Establishing a Church University in
Upper Canada. To be endowed from private sources only.
I 1'.'(Jlir.\\ ^l«l ')'!'.'... \
BUILDING FUND.
1. The contributions and donations already made in the Colony,
and which may be expected to increase beyond their present am-
ount, £25,000 provincial currency to £30,000 currency, or £26,000
Sterling, to be expended in erecting necessary buildings.
The endowments to arise from two sources :
First, — A Queen's letter for a Collection in all the Churches of
England, the proceeds of which may be assumed at £20,000.
The reasons for granting such a letter in this case are very
strong, I may with truth say irresistible : —
1st. As regards precedents, a Queen's Letter, as I am informed
was granted many years ago towards the Establishment of,
Bishop's College at Calcutta, and half the proceeds of a Queen's
(55)
Letter was recently given to the Bishop of Newfoundland towards
building his Cathedral. I am persuaded that many others are to be
found, but to which, as a stranger, I have no access.
2. A Queen's letter has only reference to the Members of the Es-
tablished Church. It is a collection at Divine Service, to which the
Worshippers may contribute or not, as they see fit. It therefore im-
poses no hardship on any one, much less a compulsion to give, but
is merely such a charitable act, as one Branch of the Church being
in difficulty may receive from another, and has been practised since
the days of the Apostles.
3. The Church in Upper Canada has peculiar claims upon the
Church of England, not only as a weak child requiring fostering
care, but because the Colony has been for many years the chief
Asylum of poor Emigrants from the Parent State, of whom thou-
sands are Church people, and being commonly destitute when they
arrive, have to be largely assisted, and such assistance always
comes in the largest measure from the Members of our Church. —
It may indeed be truly affirmed, that more is sometimes given in
one year, in private charity to these destitute Strangers, than the
amount assumed as the probable proceeds of the Queen's letter.
4 Of the 97,000 Emigrants who came to Quebec in 1847, more
than three- fourths reached Upper Canada. Of these 40,000 landed
at Toronto bringing with them a malignant fever, and although the
Government had done a great deal to mitigate their distress, much
more remained for the charitable to do. And what rendered matters
more afflicting, many of our own people in their eagerness to relieve
the sick Emigrants, became themselves victims to this virulent and
contagious fever. For several months, indeed during the whole
Summer, more than 1,200 Emigrants were sick in the Hospitals
and temporary buildings erected for their accommodation. The
principal agents in all this were my Clergy and people. Surely the
saving to the United Kingdom of the great expense of supporting
97,000 perishing Emigrants becomes an irresistible^ claim to a
Queen's Letter as some small return.
5. Moreover it will only be doing for us what the Church of Up-
per Canada, poor as she is has already done for this great country.
A collection was made in all our Churches, Chapels, and Stations
during the recent famine in Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland,
giving two-thirds of the amount to the former, and one-third to the
latter. On the whole, we have already contributed more than ten-
fold the proceeds of such a Royal Letter, and are still continuing,
year after year, to give more than it is likely to produce. And yet
such a mark of Royal consideration would be most gratefully re-
ceived as a precious enumeration for all we have done or may hear-
after do.
6. In fine, as far as I can learn, the Members of the Church of
England would gladly welcome the grant of a Queen's letter in this
case, as affording them an opportunity of manifesting their love for
the Church in Canada in a way after their own hearts.
(56)
Second^ — Contributions from Public Bodies and Individuals in
England, £10,000.
But should Her Majesty the Queen condescend to bestow a Royal
donation to head the list, as I have reason to believe His Grace the
Duke of Wellington is prepared to do, to the extent at the least of
One Thousand Pounds, the amount of this source might be taken at
twenty instead of ten thousand pounds.
Ami here I most respectfully submit, that were Her Majesty
aware that we have been deprived of a Royal gift worth £270,000,
consisting of Lands under Patent from the Crown — yielding a Reve-
nue of Eleven Thousand Pounds per annum, and pledged by three
Soverigns — she would hasten to repair, in as far as may be in her
power, the great loss and injury we have thus sustained.
In conclusion, I would with all respect and deference submit, that
it is no slight argument in favour of this scheme, that its adoption will
set at rest a grave and troublesome question in the Colony, in a way
that can give just offence to 120 . .ue. But while the National Church
remains without a University to Educate her youth on religious
principles for the Holy ministry and the liberal professions, the bles-
sings of tranquility and peace can scarcely be hoped for in Upper
Canada.
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
DOWNING STREET, 13th June, 1850.
MY LORD,
I have had the honor to receive your Lordship's Letter of
the 29th ultimo, enclosing a Memorandum on the subject of the
proposed establishment, by Royal Charter, ot a University in Upper
Canada, in connection with the Church of England, and unaided
by Colonial Funds.
I need scarcely observe to your Lordship, that Her Majesty's
Government are always disposed to regard favorably proposals
which are made for extending and improving the means of Educa-
tion in the British Colonies, and more especially when those propo-
sals do not involve the necessity of a Grant of Public Money. I
shall therefore be ready to consider with the utmost attention the
suggestions you have offered for the incorporation of a new Univer-
sity in Upper Canada, whenever your Lordship shall have favored
me with a Draft of the Charter which may be deemed adequate for
the purpose. Until I shall be in possesion of such Draft, I am ob-
viously not in a position to form any judgment upon the propriety
of recommending Her Majesty to give her consent to the desired
measure. 1 may observe, further, that 1 should feel it my duty to
communicate 11 ik wise with the Provincial Government on a matter
of such importance, before committing Her Majesty's Government
to any settled course of action.
(57)
2. With respect to the application for a Queen's Letter, .for the
purpose of raising a collection in aid of the design, 1 have to inform
your Lordship, that I find upon communicating with the Secretary
of State for the Home Department, that a very strong objection is
entertained to the multiplication of such appeals to the benevolence
of Her Majesty's subjects, and that as the S. P. Gospel has, under
the existing arrangement, the advantage of a Queen's Letter once in
three years, by which large funds are collected for the support of
the Church in the Colonies, I' fear it will not be practible to comply
with your request. At all events, it will be impossible to do so,
before a decision has been formed as to the Grant of a Charter of
Incorporation to the proposed University.
3. Having laid before the Queen the Petition dated the 9th April
last, which you placed in my hands from certain Members of the
United Church of England and Ireland in Upper Canada, urging the
establishment of the proposed University, I have to acquaint your
Lordship that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the same very
graciously. I have also laid before her Majesty the Petition which
your Lordship communicated to me .at the same interview from the
Clergy and Laity of the Church of England in Upper Canada, ex-
pressing their objections to the Act passed in the last Session of the
Legislature of Canada for the amendment of King's College Toron-
to, and praying that measures may be taken for restoring that Col-
lege to its efficiency, with such modifications of its original Charter
as shall separate it entirely from politics. Upon this petition, which
judging from the terms in which it is expressed, should, I apprehend,
have been delivered to me previously to the confirmation of the act
referred to, I have been unable to advise Her Majesty to isssue any
commands.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) GREY.
The LORD BISHOP of Toronto.
LONDON, 19 Bury Street St. James's
18th June, 1850.
My LORD,
I have the honor to acknowledge your Lordship's Letter of
the 13th instant, in reply to the communication and Memorandum
which I took the liberty of addressing to your Lordship on the 29th
ultimo, relative to the proposed establishment by Royal Charter, of
a University in Upper Canada, but unaided by Public Funds.
Your Lordship is pleased to state that Her Majesty's Government
are always inclined to regard favorably proposals which are made
for extending and improving the means of Education, and more
especially when the proposals do not involve the Grant ot Public
(58)
Money ; and that your Lordship will consider, whh the utmost
attention, the suggestions I may offer for the incoroporation of an
University in Upper Canada, whenever I shall have furnished a
Draft for the same.
Such Draft I have now the honor to inclose, in the full confi-
dence that it will receive your Lordship's approbation. It is little
more than a transcript of the Charter of the late King's College, or
of that of the Scotch College now in operation at Kingston, Canada
West, with such modifications only as may attach the Institution it
seeks to establish to the Church, and separate it from all political
influence whatsoever, and enable it to proceed in its work of religi-
ous and scientific instruction in security and peace.
But while I thank your Lordship for promising to give due at-
tention to the Draft of the Charter, in order to be in a position to
judge of the propriety of recommending Her Majesty to grant Her
consent to the desired measure, I trust, that on further reflection,
your Lordship will see cause to relinquish any such reference on the
subject to Canada as may impede or delay its issue, and for the fol-
lowing among other reasons : —
First, It is the avowed intention of the promoters of the Statute
by which King's College has been superseded and its endowment
devoted to the establishment of a new University, from which reli-
gion is by enactment excluded, to make that University the only
one in the Province ; and for this purpose they have invited, though
as yet without success, those religious bodies who have Colleges of
their own to surrender their Charters, and to affiliate themselves as
Theological Seminaries around the new University. Now, so long
as this desire is cherished on the part of the Provincial Government,
an application for their assent to establish a Church University will
in all probability fail.
Second, Such reference, I respectively submit, would, upon
another ground, be met with refusal or dissent.
The Members of the Church of England being more than one-
fourth of the population, and in number more than two hundred
thousand, furnish nearly three-fourths of the youth who desire an
University Education, as was shewn from the lists of the names of
the Students of King's College. Now, all these will go to the
Church College, as soon as it commences the business of instruc-
tion ; and if to these be added the youth of the different denomina-
tions having Colleges of their own, the Toronto University, as its
friends well know and admit, will be left comparatively empty : hence
they will object to any seeming rival.
Third, Had the Bishop and Members of the Church of England
besought Her Majesty for something new and uncommon, it would
have been reasonable to communicate with the Provincial Govern-
ment, but they merely ask the advantage which every other body
of Christians in Upper and Lower Canada enjoy, namely, one
College supported by their own means, in which their youth may
(59)
be instructed in religious and secular knowledge j and as h cannot
be withheld from the Church of England without manifest injustice,
your Lordship will perceive that to make it to depend upon the will
or caprice of those by whom that Church has been deeply injured,
will be felt to be nothing less than proscription and intolerance.
Fourth, I would further, my Lord, respectfully submit, that what
we request is clearly within the Royal Prerogative to bestow, and
can be granted to us, as it has been to others, without giving just
cause of offence to any one, since it has nothing to do whatever
with party or politics.
Your Lordship will, 1 trust, pardon me for calling your attention
to the humiliating position in which this condition of reference is
likely to place the Church of England. No such impediment has
ever been allowed to intervene between the grace of the Sovereign
and any other denomination, and why should it be permitted to
stand between the Queen and Her own Church, which it is Her
special duty to protect
All we desire, my Lord, is such a Charter as has been granted
to the Church of Scotland in Canada, and under such a Charter we
shall be proud to act. Allow me then to hope, that your Lordship
will, in consideration of the reasons which I have had the honor to
suggest, and the justice and pressing nature of our cause, grant
the prayer of our Petition without any unnecessary delay.
Give" us no reason, I beseech you my Lord, to envy our neigh-
bours of the United States of America, where there is no instance
of a Charter, such as we pray for, having been refused. Instead
of circumscribing their Colleges and Schools of learning, that acute
people take delight in their multiplication ; and so little jealous are
they in this respect, that they have uniformly cherished all such
Institutions as had been founded by the Crown previous to the
Revolution, and such have received from the Ruling Powers ample
protection after these Powers had become foreign to the British
Empire. Thus, the Colleges founded by the Kings and Queens of
England in the Colonies, are still respected and preserved, and
their endowments not only held sacred, but largely increased.
As your Lordship has seen fit to decline granting a Queen's
Letter to assist us in the endowment of our proposed University, I
bow with due submission. But I may be allowed to state, that my
request was by no means unreasonable. Precedents are not want-
ing ; and the reasons assigned in my Memorandum, for granting
such a favor, are, in the judgment of others as well as myself, all
but irresistible.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
The Right Honorable the EARL GRBY.
(60)
19, Bury Street, St. James's,
20th My, 1850.
SIR,
I have the honor to enclose a Memorandum of two interviews
with which I was honored by the late Sir Robert Peel, in the hope
that the support, which my application for a Royal Charter to estab-
lish a University in Upper Canada in connection with the Church
of England, would have received from that eminent {Statesman,
may be made known to the Riirht Honorable Earl Grey, Her Ma-
jesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, and induce
His Lordship to give my petition both an early and favorable
consideration.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
B. HAWES, Esquire,
&c., &c., &c.
A memorandum of the Bishop of Toronto's two interviews with
the late Sir Robert Peel : —
On Friday, the 7th of June, I called on the late Sir Robert Peel,
with a letter of introduction from Chief Justice Robinson of Upper
Canada, for I was anxious to interest so great and good a man in the
object which had brought me to England. Soon after I sent in my
card and letter, the servant came and told me that Sir Robert was
very sorry that he happened at that moment to be particularly en-
gaged, but would make an early appointment to see me.
" Sir Robert Peel presents his compliments to the Bishop of Tor-
" onto, and will have the honor of seeing him on Monday morning
" at one quarter before eleven."
On Monday, the tenth of June, I called at the time appointed.
Sir Robert was at first distant and reserved, but nevertheless courte-
ous and encouraging. He heard my statement of the many strug-
gles and final destruction of King's College, and the establishment
of a College in its stead, from which religion is virtually excluded,
with the most patient attention. " It seems a strange and outrageous
" proceeding, so far as I understand it ; but I shall require to study
" the matter, and make myself acquainted with all the details, that
" I may be fully satisfied in my own mind before I can ever think
" of interfering. Indeed, I have so little influence that my interference
" can, I fear, be of little use. I suppose (he said) 'that the new
' Institution of Toronto University is something like the London
" College or the Irish Colleges." Pardon me, I replied ; the Lon-
don College preys upon no other interest, and is supported from
private sources; it unhappily drops religion, but it goes not so far
as to exclude it, by legal enactment, as the Toronto University does.
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" That certainly makes a difference." It differs also from the Irish
Colleges in this — that the Irish Colleges are supported by the
Government, and their establishment did not interfere with or injure
any other institution. But the College or University of Toronto is
founded on the ruins of King's College, whose Royal Charter it has
repealed under the pretence of amending it, and whose Endowment
of Eleven Thousand per annum, though secured by a Patent from
the Crown, and guaranteed by the pledge of Three Kings, it has
has seized and appropriated to itself. " Then, if I understand it,"
said Sir Robert, "the Government would have made a parallel case
" had they seized upon. Trinity College, Dublin, and not only de-
" stroyed its religious character but endowed with its property all
"the new Colleges." Such, I answered, would have been a case
exactly parallel. " If so," continued Sir Robert, " it would seem a
" case of singular injustice and oppression, and what could never
" have taken place in England ; but I must be more fully satisfied
"on this point." He then required me to send him a copy of the
Statute, and such other papers as I thought might elucidate the
subject, and he promised to give them a careful perusal.
On my return to my lodgings I sent the following letter, and the
documents required, and with the more alacrity, because Sir Robert
got evidently interested in the subject as our conversation proceeded,
and became more frank and cordial, in so much so, that I felt that
the reserve with which he met me at first had altogether disap-
peared : —
LONDON, 19, Bury Street, St. James's,
10th June, 1850.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose a Copy of the Statute passed by
the Provincial Legislature in Canada, by which the Royal Charter
is repealed, and its endowment devoted to the support of a secular
Institution, from which religion is virtually excluded.
I likewise add printed copies of Petitions to the Queen and the
two Branches of the Imperial Parliament, to which upwards of
eleven thousand signatures are appended ; and a Copy of my Pe-
tition to the Legislature of Canada, presented while the measure
was in progress.
I pray that God may bless your kind interference in our behalf,
so that we may obtain a Royal Charter, to enable Churchmen to
educate their children from their own means and in their own way.
It is a small boon considering the hardship of our case, and a simple
matter of justice to which we are fully entitled.
If unhappily refused, it will add the element of religious discord
to the many causes which already distract the Canadas.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
The Right Honorable Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M. P.
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As I had no desire to take any steps offensive to the Government,
1 had abstained from getting my Petitions presented to the two
Houses of Parliament, and felt disposed to withhold them altogether,
if a Royal Charter were granted us to secure more easily the pro-
perty which we and our friends had subscribed, and enable us to
grant Degrees ; but finding from a letter from Earl Grey, Her Ma-
jesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, that there
might be difficulty in obtaining it, although a Royal Charter had
been granted to the Members of the Kirk of Scotland in Canada, I
thought it right to solicit Sir Robert Peel's assistance and advice,
and accordingly addressed to him the following note, with such ad-
ditional documents as this new obstacle seemed to require :—
19, BURY STREET, St. James's, 15th June, 1850.
SIR,
In compliance with your wish, I have the honor to enclose a
Copy of our Petition to the Queen, soliciting a Royal Charter for
the establishment of a Church University in Upper Canada, and a
Draft of the Charter we desire.
It is little more than a transcript of the Charter of the late King's
College, with such alterations as may separate the Institution it
seeks to establish, from any political influence whatsoever, and en-
able it to proceed in its work of religious and scientific instruction
in security and peace.
Since I had the honor of calling on you, I have received a Letter
from Earl Gray, announcing a condition to the granting of the
Charter, which, if not removed, appears to me tantamonnt to a
refusal.
Perhaps you will permit me to show you this Letter, and add to
the many obligations I am under, the benefit of your advice.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
The Right Honorable Sir Robert Peel,
In a very few hours I received the following note : —
" WHITEHALL, June 15.
" Sir Robert Peel presents his compliments to the Bishop of
Toronto, and will see the Bishop at one o'clock on Tuesday morn-
ing. Sir Robert Peel would have named an earlier appointment,
but he is obliged to leave town for a day or two."
On Tuesday, the 18th June, I was in attendance. Sir Robert
met me as an old acquaintance, and came forward and shook me
cordially by the hand. " I have read your papers, which fully
" substantiate your statement. It is a case of great hardship and
" injustice. But I think you have exercised a wise discretion in not
" presenting your Petitions to the two Houses of Parliament ; and
" it no doubt will be duly appreciated at the Colonial Office — for
(63)
" acts of forbearance are seldom lost. And indeed, as the Colonial
" Act destroying King's College, and establishing the Toronto
" University in its stead, has unfortunately been confirmed here, I
"do not well see what the Parliament could have done in the
" matter." I said the presentation, and consequent publication of
the Petitions would have made our case generally known, and thus,
at least, have multiplied our friends, and increased their disposition
to help us. " Not perhaps so much as you imagine ; for there is
"no discussion on petitions when presented, and if they are espe-
" cially called up, the prayer could not have been granted, and the
"Government might have been put to « some inconvenience, and
" would have naturally become less disposed to favor your Petition
" for a Royal Charter. At all events, as you seem inclined to ask
" for a Royal Charter (without any other public assistance) to edu-
" cate your children from your own resources, the request seems
" so just and reasonable, and your proceedings have been so quiet
" and moderate, that I do not anticipate any serious objection."
I then showed him Earl Grey's Letter to me of the 13th of June,
1850, on the subject of a new Royal Charter, which he read over
very carefully. I next placed the answer which I had prepared to
send to the Colonial Office, in his hands, which, although rather
long, he likewise read slowly over ; and, after suggesting the alter-
ation of one or two passages, he pronounced it a document of be-
coming dignity, force and moderation. He then expressed a hope
that Lord Grey would not refer the question of granting or not
granting the Charter to the authorities in Canada, ^vho had done us
so great injury, and made the application necessary ; and added,
that to refer it, would be little better than a mockery. He felt tha*t
such reference would not be persisted in ; that he would speak t6
Mr. Hawes on the subject, and if necessary, to Earl Grey, wtib
were both honorable men, and not disposed to adopt any thing u¥r-
reasonable or unjust. He thought that the probable effect of siic^h
reference had not been sufficiently considered, or it would not have
been entertained. I said that granting a Charter was clearly witfflh
the Royal Prerogative, and would lose much of its value if it
only be obtained at the request of our enemies ; that no such
diment has ever been allowed to intervene between the grace
Sovereign and other denominations in Upper Canada, and
should be permitted between the Queen and her own
which she is the Head and Protector, I was unable to conceive.
Sir Robert Peel added, " there may be difficulties of which we are
" not aware ; and if you continue to proceed with moderation, they
" will be more easily removed. But what is your intention should
" there be a prolonged delay ?" I said, the College would com-
mence as soon as I returned to Canada, whether we received'** Roy-
al Charter or not> for the education of our children could not be
delayed. " In this you are right, the Church must do
Yet, I continued, delay was to be regretted ; for so long as
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lege remained without a Charter, it would be a source of com plaint
and irritation among my people who would feel themselves proscri-
bed and in a state of persecution ; my wish has been to smooth
down matters, and to rest satisfied with a Charter, without asking
anything further, or dwelling upon our injuries. But peace and
tranquillity cannot be looked for, if so small a gift is refused. In-
deed to refuse it is the worst policy imaginable ; for it will compel
us to look with envy on our neighbours in the United States, where
there is no instance of a Charter such as we pray for, having been
refused. Instead of circumscribing their Colleges and Schools of
Learning, that acute people take delight in their multiplication ;
and so little jealous are they in this respect, that they have cherish-
ed all such Institutions as had been founded by the Crown previous
to the Revolution, and such have received from the Ruling Powers
ample protection after those Powers had become foreign to the Brit-
ish Empire. Thus the Colleges in the Colonies are respected and
preserved, and their Endowments not only held sacred, but largely
increased. Sir Robert smiled, and said. " I am not surprised at
" your warmth, for the case is very aggravated ; and perhaps it
" would be better to go at once and state your case to Lord John
" Russel, who would, I belive, do what is right : but this we will
" consider : should the Colonial Office fail you, You must, however,
" be patient and hope the best. I shall do what I can, because
" your object is just ; but I must again remind you, that there is
" little in my power."
I then told Sir* Robert that the Duke of Wellington was favorable
to our proposed Church University, and was about to transfer to it
some valuable property which His Grace possessed in Canada, to
found Scholarships. Sir Robert expressed great pleasure at this
communication, and when 1 took leave, he accompanied me to the
door and shook hands, and parted with great kindness.
Not having heard from Sir Robert Peel, 1 determined to leave
my name at his residence on Saint Peter's Day ; but after proceed-
ing some way through the Park towards Whitehall, I thought it
might appear somwhat intrusive or premature, and that it would be
better to wait a few days longer. But alas ! on that very day the
accident happened, which terminated so fatally to himself and family
the nation and the world.
DOWNING STREET, I26th July, 1850.
MY LORD,
I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letters of
the 18th ultimo and 20th instant, on the subject of the Establish-
ment, by Royal Charter, of an University in Upper Canada exclu-
sively connected with the Church of England.
(65)
I have, in reply, to inform your Lordship that I have perused the
Draft Charter enclosed in your first letter, and I have also carefully
considered the suggestions by which it is accompanied, and that I
regret to be under the necessity of stating, that it is impossible for
me to come to any decision on the application you have submitted to
me, without having had an opportunity of ascertaining what may
be the views of the Provincial Government upon it. I will, there-
fore, transmit copies of your letters and of the Draft Charter to the
Earl of Elgin, and I must postpone offering any advice to Her Ma-
jesty as to the grant or refusal of the Charter, until I shall have re-
ceived His Lordship's report upon the subject.
In stating to your Lordship that such is the course which I feel it
my duty to take, I beg to observe, with reference to some of the
statements contained in your Memorandum of two interviews you
had with the late Sir Robert Peel, that in making the proposed re-
ference to the Governor of the Colony, I am merely acting in ac-
cordance with the rule which I have thought it right invariably to ad-
here to since I have had the honor of holding the Seals of this Depart-
ment (and in which I believe I am following my predecessors in office)
to decline adopting, in consequence of applications addressed to me
directly, any important step affecting the internal interests of any of
Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions, without having had a previous
opportunity of communicating on the subject with the Governor of
the Colony to which such application may relate. Your Lordship
is aware that if your application for a Royal Charter had been ad-
dressed to me by letter from the Colony, the established regulations
of the Colonial Service would have required that it should have
been forwarded to me through the Governor, in order that he might
have an opportunity of offering an explanation of his views with re-
gard to it, before any decision was come to by Her Majesty's
Government. I conceive, that the circumstance of your Lordship
having come to this country, in order to bring the application before
me personally, instead of by letter, can make no difference in the
obvious propriety of enabling the Governor to call the attention of
Her Majesty's Government to any considerations which may appear
to him to require their attention, before they come to a decision on a
subject of such importance, to the people of Canada.
I cannot conclude this letter, without expressing the great regret
with which I have observed an expression in the Memorandum of
your interview with Sir Robert Peel, which might be understood as
implying that you regard a reference of this question to the Gover-
nor General of Canada as a reference " to your enemies." Nothing,
I am persuaded, can be more erroneous than such an idea, nor has
there been anything in the conduct of the Earl of Elgin, which seems
to me to justify the smallest doubt of his entertaining an earnest and
conscientious desire to act fairly and impartially towards every
Christian Church in Canada, and especially towards that of which
he is himself a Member.
(66)
I shall postpone transmitting this Correspondence to the Governor
General, until I am informed whether there are any further obser-
vations on the subject to which it relates, which you would desire
to have brought under notice.
I have, dec.
(Signed,) GREY.
The Lord Bishop of Toronto,
&c., &c., &c.
LONDON, 19, Bury Street, St. James's
27th July, 1850.
My LORD,
I have the honor to acknowledge your Lordship's Letter of
the 26th instant, and had not my attention been called to two words
which occur in the narrative of my interviews with the late Sir
Robert Peel, I should have been content with expressing my regret
at the course which your Lordship has been pleased to adopt.
That lamented Statesman knew as well as I did, that the words
" our enemies" do not include or apply to the Earl of Elgin, who is
not believed to be clothed with sufficient authority to interfere with
effect under what is called Responsible Government.
In regard to applications made from a Colony to the Imperial
Government, back to the Authorities of that Colony, it may be con-
venient as a general rule when the subject matter is new, unknown,
or not well understood. But I submit that the question of granting
the Charter I desire is not exposed to any of these objections. It
has been acted upon in the case of the Kirk of Scotland in Upper
Canada, in that of the Methodist body, who enjoy a Royal Charter
for an Academy.
I shall nevertheless, hope against hope, that the Colonial Authori-
ties may see the iniquity of refusing their assent to a measure so
reasonable and just, now that the rcsponsiblity is thrown wholly
upon themselves.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOHN TORONTO.
The Earl GREY,
&c., &c., Cc.
(67)
N.
To the Queer? s Most Excellent Majesty.
May it please your Majesty, —
We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Clergy
and Laity of the United Church of England and Ireland,
inhabiting that part of British North America, which formerly
composed the Province of Upper Canada.
Most humbly represent : —
That after the peace of 1783, this portion of your Majesty's
dominions became the Asylum of those faithful Loyalists, who,
during the Revolutionary War with the Colonies, now the United
States, shed their blood and sacrificed their property in adhering
to their King and the unity of the Empire.
That the Parent State, anxious to prove her grateful sense of
their affectionate and disinterested services in a way the most
agreeable to their wishes and feelings, conferred upon them, in
1791, a form of Government similar to their own, and in order
that the State, as at home, might be sanctified by religion, pro-
vision was made at the express command of your Majesty's royal
grandfather, in the Constitutional Act, for its support, according
to the form of the United Church of England and Ireland, by
setting apart for that, the most important of all objects, a portion
of the waste lands of the crown.
That in the spring of 1797 the Legislature of Upper Canada
addressed their beloved sovereign George the Third, of blessed
memory, for a portion of the waste lands of the crown, to produce
a fund for the purposes of education, and more especially for the
support of grammar schools and a university.
To this address a most graious answer was returned, granting
their request, and expressing His Majesty's paternal regard for
the welfare of his loyal subjects, in the furtherance of an object
so important as the instruction of their youth in sound learning
and the principles of the Christian religion.
That soon after the colonial government appropriated for the
required object 500,000 acres of land: one half for the support of
grammar schools, and the other half for the establishment of a
university.
That the slow advance of the colony in wealth and population
during the wars which so long desolated Europe, delayed for
many years the establishment of the University ; but though
postponed, it was never lost sight of; and in 1827 a royal
(68)
charter was granted by His late Majesty King George the
Fourth, erecting a college or university within the Province of
Upper Canada, in which the wishes of his royal father are
embodied, as it provides "for the education of youth in the
principles of the Christian religion, and for their instruction in
ths various branches of science and literature which are taught
in the universities of this Kingdom." Your Majesty's humble
petitioners would represent, that steps were immediately taken
to secure by royal patent the valuable university, and commenc-
ing the business of instruction ; but before this could be accom-
plished, a despatch was received by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir
John Colborne, (now Lord Seaton,) bearing date the 2nd Novem-
ber, 1831, recommending, at the express desire of His Majesty
King William the Fourth, such reasonable modifications as might
satisfy certain adversaries of the charter, but at the same time
stating that no part of the endowment of the college would ever
be diverted from the great object of the education of youth, and
that it must ever be regarded sacredly and permanently appro-
priated to that important object; and His Majesty earnestly
recommends to the consideration of the Legislature the perma-
nent establishment in the college of a professor of divinity of the
Church of England upon a sure footing, declaring it to be a
matter of great importance to those of His subjects in Upper
Canada, who belong to the Church of England, and that His
Majesty, as head of that Church, could not be insensible to the
duty which belonged to him of protecting it in all parts of his
dominions.
That, in accordance with the wishes of Your Majesty's Royal
Uncle, the Statute 7 William IV., Chap. 16, was passed by the
Legislature of Upper Canada, which, satisfied by its modifica-
tions, all the objections of the more reasonable of the opponents
of the Charter ; and as they neither trenched on the endowment
of the University, nor on its religious character, though, in other
respects objectionable, the authorities of the College, for the sake
of peace, were reluctantly induced to acquiesce in their enact-
ment.
That, these modifications like, all unreasonable concessions of
principle to factious clamor, produced only a transient calm. The
enemies of the National Church, implacable in their hostility
and encouraged by unlocked for success, again assailed King's
College, after it had been in prosperous operation for more than
six years, without any complaint as to its management or man-
ner of instruction, and without any second invitation on the part
of the Crown, and were again successful ; not merely in effecting
partial changes, but in accomplishing the complete destruction of
what might have been the noblest Seminary on the continent of
America.
Your Majesty's dutiful subjects would further represent that
(69)
the Act thus passed by the Legislature of Canada, on the 30th of
May last, not only destroys King's College, and in effect confiscates
the whole of its endowment, but establishes a secular College, from
which religious instruction is expressly excluded, and this in direct
opposition to the wishes and invitations of three monarchs, and to
the chief object for which it was prayed for and enacted, — namely,
the Religious instruction of youth, and training of such as were in-
clined for the Holy Ministry ; and that no loyal and grateful feelings
may hereafter associate "King's College" with its Royal benefactors,
the very name is suppressed, and "University of Toronto" substituted
in its room.
That your Majesty's humble petitioners need scarcely represent,
that they were filled with grief and dismay at this unjust and ungodly
Act of Legislation, unexampled, as they believe, in British History ;
and that they can have no confidence in, or connexion with, an
Educational Institution in which the voice of prayer and praise can
never be heard, and from which, by the abolition of all Religious
services, the acknowledgment of the Deity, and belief in the Sa-
viour, are excluded. By the passing of this Act, should it unfor.
tunately be confirmed by your Majesty, nearly 200,000 of your
Majesty's most loyal and devoted subjects, who belong to the Na-
tional Church, will be deprived of the means which they enjoyed,
through the bounty of the Crown, of educating their children in the
Christian Faith, or of bringing up such as are disposed to the Holy
Ministry ; from all which your Majesty will perceive that the wel-
fare of that Church, of which your Majesty is the constitutional
head and protector, is placed in imminent peril.
Your Majesty's loyal subjects further represent, that they have
the pledge of no fewer than three Sovereigns for the integrity of
King's College, as a Protestant Religious Seminary, according to the
order of the Church of England, and for the safety of its endow-
ment, and they are the more encouraged to claim the fulfilment of
this sacred and Royal pledge, from the fact that the endowments of
Louis XIV. in Lower Canada, nearly ten times the amount of those
granted to King's College, are reverently respected, while the only
Seminary belonging to the Church of England is not merely rendered
useless to the cause of Religion, but will be utterly destroyed and a
godless Institution established in its stead, unless Your Majesty shall
graciously interfere by the exercise of your Royal prerogative to
prevent it.
Your Majesty's humble petitioners most respectfully represent,
that they have been brought up to fear God and honour the King ;
that they have held the promise of their Sovereign sacred and
worthy of all trust ; and, so trusting, they did not presume, when
lands were cheap in the Province, and an endowment might have
been easily obtained, to stand between the grace of the Sovereign
and the people ; nor were they prepared for the disregard of the
Royal prerogative, and the just claims of the National Church mani-
k
( 70)
feated by the late Act, which Act they consider more unaccountable
and unjust, because the same Legislature has abundant means at its dis-
posal of endowing as many Colleges as it pleases, without the slight-
est detriment to any one ; and of leaving that of Her Sovereign and
her Religion, free and untouched. For, all we ask is simply to re-
tain the advantage which is actually enjoyed by every other body of
Christians in Upper Canada, of having one place of public Educa-
tion in which their young men may be religiously instructed, and
such as desire it trained to the holy Ministry ; and not have an en-
dowment wrested from us which our Sovereign has granted for that
purpose.
Your dutiful and loyal subjects, may it please Your Majesty, would
further observe, in deep anguish of heart, that there was a time
when the word Sovereign was felt to be as secure as the stability of
the Empire, and shall such a time be allowed to pass away 1 The
truth of the Sovereign and the affection of the people are co-relative,
as the one cannot live without the other. Yet, nearly one-third of
the inhabitants of this noble colony are suffering in their dearest
rights and interests from an act which they feel to be extremely
oppressive. They are deprived of their University and Endowment,
although thrice guaranteed by the Crown, and by this they lose the
power of conferring degrees in Arts and Divinity, which virtually
passes on them a sentence of proscription from all such offices of
profit and honor as require a degree to qualify for their attainment,
— above all, they are deprived of the means of bestowing on their
children an Education based on Religion, the only Education worth
possessing.
Under such trying circumstances, to whom can they go for redress
but to Your Majesty, in whose maternal affection they put their
trust, as many of them now far advanced in life have done in your
Majesty's predecessors. Permit us then to hope that your Majesty
will lend a gracious ear to this, our humble application ; that, influ-
enced by your exalted position as head of the Church, you will
cause the pledge of three Sovereigns to be redeemed, by the restora-
tion of King's College in all its efficiency, with such modifications of
its original Charter as shall separate it entirely from politics, and
allow it to proceed on its work of scientific and religious instruction
in security and peace.
And your Majesty's dutiful and loyal petitioners, as in duty bound,
will ever pray.
Signed by above 125,000 persons.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Toronto, 4th February, 1851.
MY LORD,
With reference to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 514., of the
29th July last, I have the honor to submit for your information, the
(71 )
Copy of a Correspondence which has recently passed between the
Provincial Secretary and the Bishop of Toronto, on the subject of
the proposed establishment, by Royal Charter, of an University in
Upper Canada, exclusively connected with the Church of England.
Your Lordship will perceive from the latter portion of the Corres-
pondence, that this Government is prepared to afford the Bishop
all the aid in its power towards procuring, for the Educational Insti-
tution which he desires to establish, a Charter of Incorporation,
giving the usual facilities for managing its property and affairs. With
reference to the more perfect Charter sought by his Lordship, the
Government apprehends that the multiplication of Colleges having
authority to grant degrees in Arts in this Province, at the present
stage of its growth in wealth and population, is open to very serious
objection. The authority in question would not, it is believed, have
been granted to the denominational Colleges of Queen's and Victo-
ria, which are referred to by the Bishop, if the Charter had been
originally framed on a comprehensive principle, or if the provisions
of the Provincial Act 7 William IV. cap. 18, under which that In-
stitution came into operation, had been carried out according to its
true intent and meaning. The Government still entertain the hope
that the members of the Church, as well as of other denominations
possessing incorporated Colleges, will be induced to participate in
the advantages offered to Students by the Toronto University.
While, therefore, it would view with satisfaction the establishment
of a College, in connection with the Church of England, having
authority to confer degrees in Divinity, it would consider the grant of
such a Charter as the Lord Bishop has applied for, premature until
it be shewn that this hope must be abandoned, and that the mem-
bers of the Church are generally at one, not only as to the principle
of an exclusive University, but also as to the terms in which the
Charter constituting it should be received. As regards the last-
mentioned point, I beg to call your Lordship's attention to the first
part of the enclosed Correspondence, which has reference to an
application addressed to me by the Honorable Mr. DeBlaquiere, for
a Copy of the Draft submitted to your Lordship by the Bishop.
From a further correspondence between the Lord Bishop and Mr;
DeBlaquiere, which has been published in the newspapers, I infer
that the Bishop considers that the Draft in question is still open to
revision and correction. If so, I cannot but think that it is fortunate
that your Lordship declined to accede to the application for a Charter
which the Bishop pressed upon you while in England. For, had it
once issued in terms of the Draft, its provisions could not have been
afterwards altered in any material point, without giving rise to ques-
tions touching interference with Chartered Rights, akin to those
which have so grievously embittered the controversies that have
taken place, at various periods, with respect to the amendment of
the provisions of the original Charter of King's College. Under
all the circumstances of the case, I trust that your Lordship will
concur with me in thinking that it is expedient that a decision in
favor of the Lord Bishop's application should be, at least for a time,
suspended.
2. It may be necessary, before I close this Despatch, that I should
offer some remarks on the very serious charges which are advanced
against the Provincial Government and Parliament in the Corre-
spondence which your Lordship has transmitted to me. I approach
the subject with reluctance, for I should deeply regret it, if anything
were to fall from me which was calculated to keep up the asperity
of feeling from which the interests of Education in Upper Canada
have already so cruelly suffered. I fear, however, that if I were to
abstain from all notice of the charges, it might be supposed that I
admitted the accuracy of the representations on which they are
founded.
3. In the Letter addressed by the Bishop to the Provincial
Secretary, dated the 20th January, of which the Copy is herewith
enclosed ; the charges to which I refer are alluded to in the follow-
ing words : — " With regard to any statements, which are to be found
" in my correspondence reflecting on the course taken by the
" Provincial Government and Parliament with respect to the
" University of Toronto, I have only to observe, that it would have
" been difficult for me to have expressed myself more strongly than
" I have felt, for it is my sincere conviction that we should look in
" vain in the hisfory of any Country, governed by British Laws, for
" an instance in which such an entire disregard had been shewn for
" Chartered Rights as in the destruction of King's College and the
" appropriation of its property ;" and again, I find in the Report
which his Lordship furnished to you, of a conversation which took
place between himself and the late Sir Robert Peel, a paragraph
which defines yet more accurately the view which he entertains on
this point. The Bishop there represents himself to have said, "But
" the College or University of Toronto is founded on the ruins of
" King's College, whose Royal Charter it has repealed, under the
" pretence of amending it, and whose endowment of Eleven
" Thousand per annum, though secured by a Patent from the Crown,
" and guaranteed by the pledge of three Kings, it has seized and
" appropriated to itself." "Then, if I understand it," said Sir
Robert, " the Government would have made a parallel case had
" they seized upon Trinity College, Dublin, and not only destroyed
" its Religious character, but endowed with its property all the new
" Colleges. "Such," I answered, "would have been a case exactly
parallel." These representations seem to have produced, as might
indeed have been anticipated, very considerable effect. I have
before me an Address in favor of the Church University, signed by
English Noblemen and Gentlemen of high character and station, in
which the epithet " Anti-Christian " is applied to the University of
Toronto. Among the names appended to this Address, are those
of Statesmen who, like the late Sir Robert Peel, promoted the
(73)
establishment of the Queen's Colleges in Ireland. So severe a
condemnation, by such authority, of an effort made, within a
smaller sphere indeed, but against difficulties hardly less formidable,
to establish a system of united Education in a community long vexed
by religious dissensions, implies, it may be presumed, on the part of
the subscribers, a very profound conviction, that the means adopted
for compassing the end in view were in their nature immoral.
4. The accuracy of the parallel, which the Bishop endeavors to
establish, between the course which the Canadian Legislature has
pursued with reference to King's College and a supposed confiscation
of the Revenues of Trinity College, Dublin, for the benefit of the
Queen's Colleges in Ireland, will probably be best tested by a brief
review of the history of the iormer Institution. The history is
unquestionably, in many of its parts, a sad one. It is a lamentable
fact, that for a series of years, the interests of Education in its
higher branches in Upper Canada should have been sacrificed to the
exigencies of a bitter sectarian warfare. I much doubt, however,
whether impartial persons, with the circumstances of the case fully
before them, will be disposed to place the whole blame upon the
Provincial Government and Parliament.
5. The first movement made towards the establishment of an
University in Upper Canada, was in 1797, when the Legislative
Council and Assembly concurred in an Address to the King,
" imploring that His Majesty would be graciously pleased to direct
" His Government in this Province to appropriate a certain portion
" of the Waste Lands of the Crown, as a Fund for the establishment
" and support of a respectable Grammar School in each District
" thereof; and also, a College or University for the instruction of
" the youth in the different branches of liberal knowledge." A
favorable answer was returned to this address, intimating that it was
"His Majesty's most gracious intention to comply with the wishes of
the Legislature of His Province of Upper Canada," and accordingly
a large appropriation of vacant Land was shortly afterwards made
for the purpose of the endowment. In the year 1807, District
Schools were established by the Legislature, for the support of
which a Special Grant was made, as the Lands so set apart had not
yet become productive. It is to be observed, however, that, true to
the intention of the Address and Endowment, these Schools were
altogether unsectarian in their Constitution. No practical step
appears to have been taken for carrying out that part of the Address
which had reference to an University, until the year 1827, when
Dr. Strachan, Archdeacon of York, being in England, obtained from
Lord Bathurst a Royal Charter, establishing the University of King's
College.
6. The University constituted by this Charter was essentially a
Church of England Institution. The Bishop was to be Visitor, the
Archdeacon of York, President, and each Member of the College
Council, seven of whom were to be eventually Professors, was
(M)
required to subscribe the Thirty-nine Articles. When its contents
were made known in the Province, great indignation was excited
which found a vent in addresses from the popular Branch of the
Legislature and public meetings. It was urged that the representa-
tions, on the faith of which the Charter had been granted, were
erroneous ; that its provisions were unsuited to the state of the
Province, and inconsistent with the intentions of the endowment.
The justice of these remonstrances seems to have been admitted
with very little contestation. They found an echo in the House
of Commons. The Lieutenant Governor was instructed by the
Secretary of State to endeavor to obtain from the College Council
a surrender of the Charter; and, finally, the Local Parliament was
invited by the same authority to amend it, in terms which imposed
no limits on its discretion. It was not, however, till 1837, that an
Act passed for this purpose, in which both Branches of the Legisla-
ture concurred.
4-. During the whole of this period the Charter, in so far as the
object of Education was concerned, was practically in abeyance.
A considerable expenditure of funds took place, which was the
subject of much criticism at the time ; but the University was not
opened for instruction till the year 1843, when it was organized
under the provisions of the Act of 1837.
8. By this Act the preferences which the Church of England
enjoyed under the Royal Charter were altogether abolished. That
il did not, however, in its operation, give satisfaction to the Province,
is proved by the fact, that between the years 1843 and 1850, no
less than four sweeping measures of amendment were introduced
into Parliament, two by Conservative, and two by Liberal Administra-
tions ; of these four measures that of 1849 alone passed into a law.
9. The main cause of this dissatisfaction was undoubtedly the
attempt which was made, notwithstanding the tenor of the Act of
1837, to keep up a connexion between the Church of England and
the University in various ways, and chiefly by the establishment of
a Divinity Professorship, and of Chapel Service. Whether these
measures furnished a reasonable ground for such dissatisfaction, is a
question on which I do not feel called to offer an opinion. The
only point for which I now contend is, that the charge against the
good faith of the Canadian Legislature, which is insinuated in the
parallel that has been instituted between a supposed confiscation of
the property of Trinity College, Dublin, and the Acts of the Local
Parliament on the subject of King's College, cannot, on a fair con-
struction of those Acts, be made good. If in this parallel, the
special privileges conferred on the Church of England by Royal
Charter be referred to, I have shewn that these privileges, which
were never acquiesced in by the popular Branch of the Legislature,
were actually abolished with the consent of the Crown, which
granted them before the University, as an Educational Institution,
came into operation. And if allusion be made to any supposed
( 75 )
advantages secured for the Church of England, by the arrangements
of the University, as established under the Act of 1837, enough has
been said to prove that these advantages had no foundation in law, and
that their withdrawal, therefore, however inexpedient or uncalled for,
cannot be deemed a breach of faith on the part of the Legislature.
10. The relation subsisting between the popular Branch of the
Local Legislature and the Crown was indeed so peculiar, at a time
when even its Ministers in the Colony were wholly irresponsible to
the Provincial Parliament, that it is difficult to establish, for any
practically useful purpose, such analogies as that which I have been
now discussing. It might, however, be contended, with some show
at least, of reason, that a closer parallel to the history of King's
College than that which has been imagined would in all probability
have been furnished by the Queen's College in Ireland, if after the
assent of Parliament to their establishment and endowment had
been obtained, an exclusive character had been imparted to them
by Royal Charter.
11. It is by no means my intention to refer, in these remarks, to
any strictures of which the Constitution of the University of Toronto
may have been made the object, on the ground of its containing no
direct provision for instruction in Religion. I am aware, that there
are persons, whose opinions are deserving of respect, who hold that
an Educational Institution, which labors under this defect, is not
only useless but positively mischievous ; and they are undoubtedly
entitled to employ language which expresses adequately the strength
of their convictions. I can take it upon myself, however, to affirm
that the framers of this Constitution, while they have felt strongly
the importance, with a view to the moral and social interests of the
community, of bringing the youth of this country together for
instruction in the higher branches of secular learning, and while
experience has satisfied them that this object cannot be obtained if
denominational teaching be introduced into the University, most
emphatically and earnestly repudiate the intention of thereby
removing religion from its fitting place in the scheme of a perfect
education. On the contrary, they have always hoped and believed
that the zeal of the several denominations would induce them to
provide Schools or Colleges in the vicinity of the University, for the
religious training of the youth of their respective communions.
They entertain the conviction, that a better security for the faith
and morals of the Students attending the University will be furnished
by these means than could be supplied by the system lately in
operation in King's College. A system which, seeking to combine
objects in their nature incompatible, offered in effect to the members
of one communion a scanty and imperfect measure of religious
training, while it left the youth of other denominations, whom it
equally proposed to educate, in this respect, wholly unprovided for.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ELGIN and KINCARDINE.
The Right Hon. EARL GREY.
DOWNING STREET, llth March, 1851.
MY LORD,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Des-
patches, Nos. 20 and 29, of the 3rd and 17th ultimo, in the former
of which, you transmit the copy of a Correspondence which has
recently passed between the Provincial Secretary and the Lord
Bishop of Toronto, on the subject of the proposed establishment, by
Royal Charter, of an University in Upper Canada, and in the latter
a draft Charter, which the Bishop desires to substitute for the
Charter submitted to me by His Lordship last year.
2. I understand from these Despatches, and the Correspondence
they enclose, to all of which I have devoted a very careful consi-
deration, that there is no objection, on the part of the Provincial
Parliament and Government, to granting to the proposed Church of
England College or University all the necessary powers of a Corpo-
ration to manage its own affairs, and also the power of granting
Degrees in Divinity : but that it is considered advisable to endeavour
to raise the value of Degrees in Arts, by confining the power of
granting such degrees as nearly as possible to the University of
Toronto, with which the separate Colleges of different denominations
are in connection, as King's College and University College are with
the London University in this country. It is not distinctly stated in
your Lordship's Despatch, but it has been so explained to me by
Dr. Ryerson, that this policy of confining the power of granting
Degrees in Arts to the University of Toronto has been obstructed
by the existence of Denominational Colleges having the power,
under old Charters, of giving Degrees in Arts, but that the Provin-
cial Government has been negotiating with these bodies for the
surrender of their privilege, which has been obtained, except in two
cases, referred to in the correspondence.
3. If I am correct in this understanding of the case, I have no
hesitation in stating that it is clearly one in which the British
Government ought not to interfere, to defeat, by the grant of a Royal
Charter, the policy which is considered best for the Province by the
Assembly, and by the Executive Council, which possesses the con-
fidence of the Legislature. It appears to me, therefore, that there
is no ground for the interference of the Imperial Government, and
believing the local Government and Parliament to have no indispo-
sition to deal justly by the Church of England, I consider it better
that it should be left to them to determine on what terms the pro-
posed College or University should be chartered, than that a Charter
should be issued in this Country under Her Majesty's direct
authority.
4. Your Lordship will have the goodness to communicate the
substance of this answer to the Lord Bishop.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GREY.
The Right Hon.
The Earl of ELGIN and KINCARDINE.
( 77 )
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Toronto, 1st May, 1851.
MY LORD,
From the tenor of your Lordship's Despatch to me, No. 564-,
of the llth March, I am apprehensive that some misconception
may exist in your mind respecting the proceedings which have
taken place with a view to the Incorporation of Denominational
Colleges with the University of Toronto, under the Provincial Act
12 Vic. cap. 82 ; and I think it my duty to endeavor to remove it,
before communicating to the Lord Bishop of Toronto your decision
on his application for a Royal Charter for the College which he
proposes to establish.
2. Your Lordship observes, that although it is not distinctly so
stated in my Despatch, it has been explained to you that the policy
of confining the power of granting Degrees in Arts to the University
of Toronto has been obstructed by the existence of Denominational
Colleges, having the power, under old Charters, of giving Degrees
in Arts, but that the Provincial Government has been negotiating
with these bodies for the surrender of their privileges, which has
been obtained, except in two cases referred to in the correspon-
dence. This view of the case is not, however, entirely accurate.
Queen's College, Presbyterian ; and Victoria College, Wesleyan ;
are the only Denominational Colleges on which the privilege in
question has been conferred, and it has not yet been surrendered
by either.
3. I have further to observe, that it is not strictly correct to state
that Colleges incorporated with the University of Toronto will be
placed under the arrangement now in contemplation in relation to
that Institution precisely similar to that in which King's College
and University College stand to the University of London. Looking
to the very limited resources which are enjoyed by the Denomina-
tional Colleges hitherto established in Upper Canada, — (for both
Queen's and Victoria Colleges, it is to be remarked, are dependent
in a great measure, on annual grants of the Legislature, the continu*
ance of which cannot be guaranteed,) — it has not been deemed
advisable to propose that Students attached to such Incorporated
Colleges should be relieved from the necessity of keeping terms at
the University, and of attending University Lectures, in order to
qualify them for University Degrees. It has been presumed that
the resources of these Colleges will be most advantageously em-
ployed if they are exclusively devoted to the object of providing
Religious Instruction for the youth of the Communions to which
they may respectively belong. The clauses, however, of the Act*
establishing the University of Toronto, which relate to the Incorpo-
ration of Colleges, and of which I herewith enclose the copy,
contain nothing imperative on this point. I apprehend, therefore,
that if the persons interested in any Denominational College should
* 12 Vic. cap. 82, sees. 17, 18 and 19.
( 78 )
signify a desire to affiliate it to the University of Toronto in the
way in which King's College and University College are affiliated
to the University of London, and should shew that the resources at
their command enable them to furnish sufficient instruction in all
the necessary branches of learning, there would be no legal impedi-
ment to the consideration of such a proposition by the authorities of
the University.
4. I have thought it right to submit these explanatory remarks,
before communicating the substance of your Lordship's Despatch,
No. 564, of the llth March, to the Bishop, lest it should appear
that your reply to his application had been written under any
misapprehension of the facts of the case. At the same time, I trust
that you will still be of opinion that it is not expedient that a Royal
Charter, containing such ample powers as that for which his Lord-
ship has applied should be granted to any Denominational College,
while negotiations for the surrender of the Charters of Queen's and
Victoria Colleges are still pending. I fully expect that it will soon
be in my power to apprize your Lordship of the issue of these
negotiations. Meanwhile, I cannot but observe, that a decision on
the application of the Lord Bishop, which might have the effect of
withdrawing the members of the Church of England generally from
all connection with the Provincial University, may be attended with
serious consequences, and that it ought not to be arrived at without
full consideration. They are at present largely represented in this
Institution, and I much doubt whether it would prove to be eventu-
ally conducive, either to the interests of the Church itself or to those
of sound learning in the Province, that they should cease to exercise
within it an influence proportioned to their numbers and weight in
the community.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ELGIN AND KINCARDINE.
The Right Hon.
The EARL GREY.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Toronto, llth Jan. 1851.
MY LORD,
I am directed by the Governor General to state for your
information, that a Correspondence between your Lordship and the
Colonial Secretary, transmitted to His Excellency by Earl Grey in
August last, and comprising, with other documents, the Draft of a
Charter for a proposed University in connection with the Church of
England, has engaged, for some time past, the anxious attention of
His Excellency and the Executive Council.
His Excellency regrets to find in this Correspondence statements
reflecting on the course taken by the Provincial Government and
Parliament with respect to the University of Toronto, which he
(79 )
believes to be incorrect, and against which it will be his duty, when
the fitting occasion arrives, to record his protest.
Omitting, however, for the present, further reference to these
points, and looking merely to the practical object which your Lord-
ship had in view in your communications with Earl Grey, I am
desired by His Excellency to observe, that while he is most
desirous that the means of obtaining Education in its highest
branches should be placed as extensively as possible within the
reach of the Youth of the Province, he conceives that there are
grave objections to the multiplication of Academical Institutions
having authority to grant Degrees in Arts in a Country where the
number of young men who can devote to study the necessary time
to qualify them for such Degrees is not large.
It is true that the authority to grant such Degrees has been con-
ferred on the two denominational Colleges of Queen's and Victoria.
It may be doubtful, however, whether they have, in effect, derived
any essential benefit from its exercise ; and on the whole, His
Excellency is inclined to think that the case of the Institution in
question furnishes an argument rather against the expediency of
conceding such powers, than in favor of it.
It may, however, be observed, that if a denominational character
had not been originally imparted to King's College, these Charters
would, in all probability, not have been granted.
Under these circumstances, His Excellency is desirous, before
replying to the communication which Earl Grey has addressed to
him on this subject, to ascertain whether a Royal Charter in favor of
the Institution which you propose to establish restricting the power
of granting Degrees to those in Divinity, would be acceptable to your
Lordship and the Members of the Church of England generally.
It appears to His Excellency that such a College, under your
Lordship's immediate direction and control, would afford a better
security for the faith and morals of the youth of the Church who
might frequent the University of Toronto, than was given by the
Constitution of King's College, as fixed by the Act 7 Wm. IV. cap.
18, under which that Institution was brought into operation.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
(Signed) J. LESLIE.
The Honorable and Right Reverend
The Lord Bishop of Toronto.
TORONTO, 20th January, 1851.
SIR,
I have the honor to acknowledge your Letter of the llth inst.,
on the subject of the proposed Church of England University, and
(80 )
in answer to the observation with which the proposition made by
desire of His Excellency is introduced, I beg leave to remark, that
I should be much grieved to find an impression prevailing in His
Excellency's mind that I had, on any occasion, failed to remember
the respect due to His exalted station, or the courtesy which it is
equally my inclination and my duty to exhibit towards His Excel-
lency personally. You do not, indeed, intimate that His Excellency
entertains any such impression.
With regard to any statements which are to be found in my
Correspondence, reflecting on the course taken by the Provincial
Government and Parliament with respect to the University of
Toronto, I have only to observe, that it would have been difficult
for me to have expressed myself more strongly than I have felt; for
it is my sincere conviction, that we should look in vain in the history
of any country governed by British Laws for an instance in which
such an entire disregard had been shewn for Chartered Rights as
in the destruction of King's College, and the appropriation of its
property.
I have said nothing on this point which I do not believe myself
fully able to maintain ; and am under no apprehension of my state-
raents being successfully opposed in any quarter where I have an
opportunity of being heard.
I have given my best consideration to the remarks which His
Excellency has done me the honor to submit to me, for the purpose
of shewing that it is of small importance to the Members of the
United Church of England and Ireland in this Diocese, containing,
I think, about 800,000 inhabitants, that they should possess an
University with the privilege of conferring Degrees in the Arts* The
other Religious Denominations which at present enjoy this advan*
tage by the favor of the Government, do not, as it appears, estimate
k highly, and I cannot say that I feel the force of any reasons which
have been yet given for hesitating to grant the same privilege to the
Members of the National Church.
Their numbers in this Diocese (not less, I suppose, than 200,000)
certainly give them a stronger claim than can be urged on the same
ground by the Members of any other Religious Body, as the pub-
lished Returns of the Population shew beyond question. It may be
apprehended that, if the proposed Church of England University
should be incorporated according to the prayer of the Members of
that Church, its success might be injurious to the Toronto Univer-
sity, which has been raised upon the ruin of King's College, and
supported with its Funds.
But I can hardly persuade myself that, because it has been
thought expedient to deprive of its property and its charter a
College founded by ihe Sovereign, in avowed connection with the
Established Church of the Empire, it can be thought a just policy
to withhold from the Members of that Church the possibility of
repairing the injury, by denying to them the same privileges that
( 81 )
have been granted to others, of educating their youth from their own
resources, in their own way, with the power of conferring upon
them degrees to mark their proficiency in the different branches of
learning.
The Government will surely not debar them from the privilege
which others enjoy, of educating their youth in a College strictly
connected with their Church, in order to force them into another
Institution which is prohibited from inculcating her doctrines.
That would be making one injury the ground for committing
another ; and it would be expecting too much from the Members of
the Church to suppose that they could be content to be placed for
such reasons under such disadvantages. Neither do I believe that
it can be made to appear reasonable to the many thousands who
would be so deeply affected by it, that the Government having
readily granted Charters for Colleges to the other large bodies of
Christians who have desired them, should now, for the first time,
discover that this has been an erroneous policy, and should be
determined to grant no more exclusive Charters just at that point
of time when such a decision would have the effect of leaving the
National Church in a position inferior to that of the other Religious
Denominations, though in numbers she exceeds them.
His Excellency may be assured that the Members of the Church
of England do not value the advantage which they are soliciting
less than others value it, and they will not easily be made to feel
that they deserve it less.
What they desire and earnestly hope to obtain is a Charter from
the Crown, on a principle at least as sound as that which they had
received from the same high authority, and which has, by an Act
hitherto unprecedented in Colonial Legislation, been taken from
them. They are reluctant to believe that this will be long denied
to them by their Sovereign ; for they have done nothing to forfeit
their right to equal justice.
For any assistance towards that end which His Excellency may
render to them they will, I am sure, be most grateful ; and if in the
mean time the Legislature shall, upon His Excellency's recom-
mendation, grant a Charter of Incorporation, though it should be to
no greater extent than to give them the usual facility for managing
their property and affairs, they would, I have no doubt, esteem it a
very considerable advantage.
Yet they would, I believe, never cease to indulge the reasonable
hope, that the Government would consent to grant them a perfect
Charter, nor would they solicit a restricted one with the remotest
intention of affiliating with the Toronto University.
It cannot, I believe, be the opinion of His Excellency that the
Members of the Church of England are not so numerous as to make
their wish a reasonable one, when they desire to have complete
within themselves the means of giving a sound and liberal education
to their youth ; for he is aware that Scotland, when its whole popu-
( 82 )
lation did not nearly equal that of Upper Canada, contained five
Universities granting degrees.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) JOHN TORONTO.
The Hon. JAMES LESLIE,
Secretary of the Province of Canada.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Toronto, 24th Jan. 1851.
MY LORD,
I am directed by the Governor General to acknowledge the
receipt of your Lordship's Letter of the 20th instant, and to state in
reply, that His Excellency will be happy to afford such aid as it is
in his power to bestow towards procuring for the Educational
Institution which you desire to establish in connection with the
Church of England a Charter of Incorporation, giving the usual
facilities for managing its property and affairs.
I am further to add, with reference to the more perfect Charter
to which your Lordship alludes, that His Excellency would consider,
should no other alternative than this ultimately present itself, that it
would be a lesser evil to multiply Colleges within the Province
authorized to confer degrees in Arts, notwithstanding the manifest
tendency of such a system to detract from the value of those degrees,
than to subject the Members of the Church of England to injustice.
He is not, however, prepared to abandon the hope, that the Members
of the Church, as well as of other denominations possessing incor-
porated Colleges, may yet be induced to participate in the advan-
tages offered to Students by the Toronto University. Meanwhile,
he must not be supposed to admit that he concurs in the opinion,
that the members of the Church of England in this Province, num-
bering, according to your Lordship's computation, 200,000, are
unanimously in favor of the establishment of a denominational
University upon the principles embodied in the Draft Charter sub-
mitted by your Lordship to Earl Grey. On the contrary, His
Excellency knows that, among the most zealous supporters of the
system of united education are some sincerely attached Members
of the Church of England ; while, as regards others, he has reason
to believe that considerable difference of opinion prevails with
respect to the terms in which a Charter for an exclusive University
ought to be conceived.
With respect to the first clause of your Lordship's Letter, I am
directed by His Excellency to assure you that nothing could be
further from his intention than to convey the impression that there
had been any lack of courtesy in your Lordship's communications
with him. No such ground of complaint, in His Excellency's
opinion, exists ; but were it even otherwise, His Excellency feels
too keenly the momentous character of the subject under discussion,
and is too sincerely desirous to arrive at a solution of the difficulties
encompassing it, which shall reconcile the rights of conscience with
the moral and social interests of the Province, to have permitted
himself to allude to a mere personal question at such a time.
As your Lordship, however, reiterates in this letter the very
serious charges which you have, on former occasions, advanced
against the Provincial Government and Parliament, alleging that it
is your sincere conviction that we should look in vain in the history
of any country governed by British laws for an instance in which
such an entire disregard had been shewn to Chartered Rights, His
Excellency considers himself bound in fairness to remark, that these
strictures, if just, apply more correctly to the provisions of the Act
7 Will. IV. cap. 18, which superseded the Royal Charter, and did
away with all tests, even as respects Professors, than to those of the
Acts passed during the last two Sessions of the Provincial Parlia-
ment. Moreover, he must observe, that the Legislation so severely
characterized by your Lordship was consequent on an attempt to
establish in the Province, by Royal Charter, an University supported
by Public Funds, on principles against which the popular branch
of the Legislature repeatedly and deliberately protested, and that it
was resorted to by the local Parliament on the invitation of succes-
sive Secretaries of State and Governors, who seem to have desired
by this means to avert the consequences of an Act of which they
recognized the improvidence.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. LESLIE,
The Hon. and Right Rev. Secretary.
The LORD BISHOP of Toronto.
TORONTO, 7th February, 1851.
SIR,
I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 24th ult.,
and beg leave to convey my thanks to His Excellency the Governor
General, for his kind consideration, in stating that he will be happy
to afford such aid as it is in his power to bestow, towards procuring
for the University I desire to establish in connection with the
Church of England a Charter of Incorporation, giving the usual
facilities for managing its property and affairs.
In regard to the more perfect Charter, I feel also, under obliga-
tions to His Excellency for the measure of support he is pleased to
tender ; at the same time, I should deeply lament the postponement
of a boon to a future Administration which may be BO gracefully
( 94 )
bestowed by the present ; and which, though in itself an act of
simple justice, cannot fail to elicit the grateful acknowledgments of
a large portion of the more respectable and influential Inhabitants
of the Province, a result of no small importance in the present state
of things.
I trust His Excellency will excuse my earnestness in this matter,
not only because there is reason to believe that the Charter we
request would be readily granted by the Home Government, should
it meet with no impediment here, but still more especially because
its attainment will remove a serious cause of dissatisfaction, and
essentially secure, what we heartily desire, the continued peace and
tranquility of the Colony.
I take the liberty to request His Excellency's permission to with-
draw the draft of the Charter which I laid before Earl Grey, and
to substitute the enclosed draft in its stead.
The alterations are not otherwise material than to meet the pro-
bable division of the Diocese, and to substitute the mode of confer-
ing Degrees adopted at Cambridge for that contained in the former
draft.
They have been the result of mature deliberation, and the docu-
ment, as it now appears, has received the unanimous approbation
of my people.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) JOHN TORONTO.
The Hon. JAMES LESLIE,
Secretary of Canada.
BENEFACTORS.
Alexander Burnside (to be left by will) £6000 0 0
John, Bishop of Toronto— land, £750 ; money, £250 1000 0 0
Andrew Mercer— land, 1000 acres 1000 0 0
The Hon. Robert S. Jameson— 500 acres choice land (first sub-
scription) 500 0
James M. Strachan — four town lots in Barrie 100 0 0
The Hon, Mr. Chief Justice Robinson— 200 acres of land
The Hon. Mr. Justice Draper — 200 acres of land
The Hon. Vice Chancellor Esten — £5, quarterly subscription ....
The Hon. Mr. Chief Justice Macaulay — £50, by instalments of £5
quarterly . 50 0 <
The Hon. James Gordon— £50 in land and £50 in money 100 0 0
The Hon. W. Allan— 200 acres of land ; £125, Money, £100 .... 225 0 (
The Hon. George Crookshank 100 0 0
George T. Denison— Building Society Stock.. 100 0 0
M. Betley— 1 00 acres of land
G. P. Ridout— two shares Metropolitan Building Society 25 I
Alexander Dixon— land, 200 acres 100 <
J. C. Bettridge— land, 100 acres, £75 ; £50 in money 125 0 0
J. H. Hagarty — 91 acres of land (first subscription)
William Armstrong ,
John Armstrong 500
ThomasBilton 500
Thomas D, Harris— Building Society Stock 100 0 0
Mrs. J. S. Baldwin — 1 00 acres of land in Cumberland
William Winder, M.D 2 10 0
Lewis MofTatt — 200 acres (first subscription)
P. Vankoughnet — 1 00 acres of land in Osgoode
" " Eight Shares Building Society Stock 100
George Brock— four shares of Building Society Stock 50
J. Lukin Robinson — one town lot, valued at 100 0 0
Peter Paterson— Building Society Stock 100
G. Crookshank, jun. — four Shares Metropolitan Building Society.. 50 0 0
E. Baldwin, Clerk 10 0 0
A Friend to the Lord Bishop of Toronto 30 0 0
DanielCleal 1 0 0
JohnH.Pocock 0 10 0
E.D.Douglas 050
James Ernest 050
ThomasTaylor 050
Henry Hayward 0 5 0
John Duggan 50 0 0
Clericus, as a tribute of respect to the Bishop of Toronto, for his
untiring labours in the cause of the Church — Building Society
Stock 25 0 0
William Osborne — 100 acres of land
Henry Mellville, M.D 20 0 0
H. J. Grasett, Clerk 25 0 0
( 86 )
8T. PAUL'S CHURCH, TORONTO.
6. W. Allan— £100 in Church of England Building Society, and > ___ n A
£100 in Upper Canada Building Society J 20°
James Henderson — 100 acres of land in the township of Vespra.. . . 50 0 0
A. M. Clark— 80 acres of land, ten of which are cleared, in the ) 1Ar. . _
township of Goderich $
James Bovell, M. D.— Building Society Stock 150 0 0
J. G. D. McKenzie. Clerk— four Shares in Church of England > Kn n n
Building Society $ 50
Robert Cooper — four Shares do. do. . . 50 0 0
W. V. Bacon— one Share do. do. . . 12 10 0
E. Chads Hancock 2 10 0
F. P. Rubidge 2 10 0
Richard C. Hore, M. D.— one Share in Metrop. B. S 12 10 0
Alexander Murray — 100 acres of land in Medonte 50 0' 0
P. F. C. Deslandes— four Shares Metro. B. S 50 0 0
A. Carthew — 50 acres of Land in Oro 50 0 0
John Lyons— one Share Metropolitan Building Society 1210 0
Henry Jessop 20 0 0
WilliamLea 500
John Evans— one Share Metropolitan Building Society 12 10 0
TRINITY CHURCH, TORONTO.
Enoch Turner— in money £200 ; in land £1500 1700 0 0
W. Gooderham— £10 for each child 120 0 0
H. A. Joseph — land ; present value 55 0 0
T. Haworth 25 0 0
J. Lee — house and lot on King-st. ; present value 25 0 0
Samuel Platt 25 0 0
R. Mitchele, Clerk 20 0 0
J. G. Worts 20 0 0
W.H. Lee 15 0 0
James Home 10 0 0
B. Jackson 5 0 0
W. Rolph 500
R. and J. Dempsey 500
F. W. Coate 210 0
James Shuter 210 0
J. G. Beard (first subscription) 50 0 0
R.G.Anderson 25 0 0
George Gurnett (first subscription) 10 0 0
Thomas Collier ? 2 10 0
Thomas Brunskill, Building Society Stock 25 0 0
Ferguson 10 0 0
Frederick J. Roche 10 0 0
Henry Blong 2 10 0
Sam. Mitchell 2 10 0
John Wilmot 210 0
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH.
The Hon. John H. Cameron—land £100 ; cash £50 150 0 0
Stephen Lett, Clerk— three Shares M. B. Society 37 10 0
Captain Lefroy, R. A.— one Share ditto 1210 0
The Hon. William Cayley— four Shares ditto 50 0 0
Dr. Boys 600
William Spragge 100 0 0
John Beverley Robinson, jun 25 0 0
John Arnold— four Shares Metropolitan Building Society 50 0 0
John G. Home — 50 acres of land.
Mrs. Boulton (The Grange) 50 0 0
Mrs. Colonel Loring 25 0 0
(87)
Dr. Hodder
.. 50 0 0
W A Campbell
12 10 0
.. 10 0 0
William Bright
10 0 0
10 0 0
Andrew Fleming— one Share Metropolitan Building Society. • .
12 10 0
... 25 0 0
.. 25 0 0
John Daly
050
F. H. Heward
25 0 0
... 50 0 0
C. B Heath — one Share Metropolitan Building Society
Henry Rowsell — four ditto ditto ditto
W. B. Phipps — one ditto ditto ditto
J. W. Young — one ditto ditto ditto
Joseph Hodgson — one ditto ditto ditto
J. Worthington — one ditto ditto ditto
G. A. Barber, jun. — two ditto ditto ditto
John Helliwell — four ditto ditto ditto
Sheriff Jarvis — four ditto ditto ditto
Mrs. M. llankin — one ditto ditto ditto
F. H. Medcalfe
12 10 0
50 0 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
25 0 0
50 0 0
. 50 0 0
. 12 10 0
500
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, TORONTO.
W. Stennett, Clerk — 12 Shares Metropolitan Building Society..
. .. 150 0 0
Thomas Champion— four Shares ditto ditto . .
50 0 0
Edward Goldsmith
... 25 0 0
50 0 0
William M. Westmacott
10 0 0
Mrs. Westmacott — one Share Metropolitan Building Society
A, B. Townley— two Shares ditto ditto
A. F. Plees —two Shares ditto ditto
Mrs. Plees —one Share ditto ditto
Robert Warren — one Share ditto ditto
A. B. Townley, Church office— one Share ditto
Burton Campbell, " " ditto ditto
Alex. George Duff— one Share ditto ditto
J. W. Brent— one Share ditto ditto
Arthur Develin — one Share ditto ditto
12 10 0
25 0 0
25 0 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
12 10 0
200
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, CREDIT.
12 10 0
James Charles and William Magrath, one Share M. B. S. ....
12 10 0
10 0 0
100
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, YORK MILLS.
... 20 0 0
... 104 0 0
Archibald Cameron, JG5 for four years
20 0 0
A. J L. Peebles
10 0 0
10 0 0
10 0 0
John Taylor
10 0 0
500
2 10 0
2 10 0
George Shuttleworth
2 10 0
D. G. Hewett
2 10 0
2 10 0
(38)
Henry James 2 10 0
RobertJames 200
John Taylor 10 0 0
Alexander Cat heart 500
Henry G. Papst , 5 0 0
O.H.Revil 200
J. D. Finch 200
William Marsh 200
William Janson 1 5 0
John Bales 150
William Miller 1 0 0
THORNHILL.
Francis Boyd , 25 0 0
William Davie 10 0 0
Robert Paget, five Shares Metropolitan Building Society 62 10 0
NEWMARKET.
S. F. Ramsey, Clerk 10 0 0
BROCK.
J.W.Ellis 500
R. Garrett, Clerk 500
SCARBORO'.
W. S. Darling, Clerk, B. S. Stock 75 0 0
BARRIE.
James Patton, eight Shares M. Building Society 100 0 0
S. M. Sanford, two ditto ditto 25 0 0
S. B. Ardagh, Clerk, two ditto ditto 25 0 0
Edmund Lally, one ditto ditto 1210 0
Daniel Whitley, one ditto ditto 1210 0
H. B. Hopkins, one ditto ditto 1210 0
T F. Davies. one ditto ditto 1210 0
W. F. Bonsall, one ditto ditto 1210 0
H. P. Savigney, one ditto ditto 1210 0
WEST GWILLIMBURY.
Arthur Hill, Clerk, two Shares Metropolitan Building Society .... 25 0 0
HAMILTON.
Sir Allan N. McNab, 200 acres of land £100 0 0
And two lots in the city of Hamilton 150 0 0
250 0 0
Richard Juson, 100 acres of land £100; cash £25 125 0 0
Thomas Stinson, two city lots 125 0 0
Miles O'Reilly (half land, half money) 100 0 0
H. C. Baker, (£6 per annum till redeemed by £100) 100 0 0
J. G. Geddes, Clerk, one Share G. D. B, Society 50 0 0
J. Mackelcan ditto ditto 50 0 0
H. McKinstry, one lot in Hamilton 40 0 0
Thos. Blakeney, one village lot in Oakville
G. L. Beardmore, 1 0 acres of land in Flamboro' East, or equivalent ) 20 0 0
in money (
T.N.Best 20 0 0
J C. Geddes, two Shares in M. Building Society 25 0 0
R. O. Duggan, 50 acres in Essa 25 0 0
J. 0. Hatt, one lot in Dundas 50 0 0
Rich. Street, four Shares in M. Building Society 50 0 0
M. W. Vankoughnet, 100 acres of land 50 0 0
C. G. Gilkinson, one Share in G. Building Society 50 0 0
W. Atkinson, £3 per annum, till redeemed 50 0 0
Richard Hardiker, ditto ditto 50 0 0
(89)
M. W. Brown, £3 per annum till redeemed 50 0 0
W. Leggo, one Share in Gore District Building Society 50 0 0
Peter H. Hamilton, one lot in Hamilton 125 0 0
R. J. Hamilton, in land 50 0 0
John M.Simons 20 0 0
Richard Fairclough 20 0 0
Frederick W. Gates 20 0 0
W. L. Distin 20 0 0
John Mitchell 20 0 0
Thomas A. Blyth, one city lot 40 0 0
Thomas Gillesby 20 0 0
Peter Carroll, town lot in Hamilton 50 0 0
Benj. Milman ditto 25 0 0
G.F.Thomas 20 0 0
E. Zeland, one Share in M. Building Society 1210 0
Richard Fish ditto ditto 1210 0
James Clemow ditto ditto 1210 0
John Clemow ditto ditto 1210 0
J. H. Ede, Clerk, ditto ditto 1210 0
Richard Terry 10 0 0
A. Green, £2 10 per annum, until redeemed 25 0 0
J.W.Inman 500
C. G. Crickmore, £3 per annum, until redeemed 50 0 0
STONEY CREEK.
J.L. Alexander, Clerk 10 0 0
ST. JAMES'S PARISH, DUNDAS.
Andrew T. Kerby, 100 acres of land 50 0 0
George Rolph, town lot 50 0 0
William 3V! c Murray, Clerk, Building Society Stock 50 0 0
Ralph Leeming, town lot 30 0 0
James B. Ewart, ditto 50 0 0
Joseph Webster, one Share Building Society Stock 12 10 0
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ANCASTER.
Daniel Showers, 100 acres of land 100 0 0
Preserved Cooley, 25 ditto 25 0 0
Thomas Hammill, 25 ditto 25 0 0
Fred. G. Snyder 25 ditto 25 0 0
John Almas, 12| ditto 1210 0
John Gage, 12£ ditto 1210 0
Alexander S. Milne, village lot 25 0 0
George Byrns 400
WELLINGTON SQUARE AND NELSON.
Four Shares in Church of England Metrop. B. S 50 0 0
MOHAWK AND TUSCARORA.
Abraham Nelles, Clerk, Building Society Stock 37 1 0 0
A. Elliott, Clerk, ditto ditto 3710 0
John Kennedy ditto ditto 1210 0
Jacob Martin, Chie£ 0 10 0
GUELPH.
Henry Parsons, two Shares Metrop. Building Society 25 0 0
ELORA.
J. W. Marsh, Clerk 25 0 0
Wm. Reynolds , 200
J. G 500
John Finlayson, M. D 200
Lazarus Male 0 5 0
Wm. Lilwall 0 5 0
(90)
OWEN SOUND.
A. H. R. Mulholland, Clerk, B. S. Stock ...................... 1210 0
Richard Carney ditto ditto ...................... 1210 0
QUEENSTON.
William Duff, four Shares M. Building Society .................. 50 0 0
Wm. Foster, one ditto ditto .................. 1210 0
Wm. Brown, ditto ditto .................. 1210 0
George Stephens ditto ditto .................. 1210 0
CHIPPAWA.
Thomas C. Street, 400 acres of land
Carolina Gumming, 200 ditto
William Leeming, Clerk .................................... 50 0 0
James Macklem, 100 acres of land.
Charles L. Ingles, Clerk, Building Society Stock ................ 12 10 0
Lauran Simpson, ditto ditto ................ 12 10 0
Mrs.Murray .............................................. 1 5 0
George Taylor ............................................. 010 0
Luke Brokenshaw ........................................... 0 10 0
THOROLD.
T.B. Fuller, Clerk, 100 acres of land ........................ 100 0 0
Cynthia Fuller, 100 ditto ........................ 100 0 0
JamesJ.Ball .............................................. 1 5 0
H.C.Ball ................................................ 1 0 0
FORT ERIE.
The Hon. James Kerby ...................................... 10 0 0
James Stanton ............................................ 210 0
H. Bristow ................................................ 0 12 6
Kenneth MacKenzie ........................................ 150
George Hardison ............................................ 150
Henry B. Warren .......................................... 1 5 0
Elliott Grasett, Clerk ........................................ 20 0 0
William Rainsford ........................................... 1 0 0
Alexander Douglas ......................................... 210 0
John Spedding .............................................. 1 0 0
Lewis Palmer ...................... ........................ 1 0 0
PhilipBuck ................................................ 1 0 0
William C. R. Rooth ........................................ 2 10 0
James F.Rooth ........................................... 2 10 0
Mrs. Rooth ................................................ 1 5 0
WilliamBuck ....................................... ....... 1 5 0
James Weekes ............................................ 0 12 6
George Graham ............................................ 0 12 <J
W.A.Thompson .......................................... 10 0 0
R. A.Thornhill ............................................ 2 10 0
IsaacS.Hawn ............................................. 300
ST. CATHERINES.
A. Mittleberger, town lot .................................... 100 0 0
A. F. Atkinson Clerk ....................................... 1210 0
R. Shanklin, Clerk ........................................... 600
J. P. Merritt, town lot ....................................... 50 0 0
F.Mack,M.D .......................................... ... 500
George Rykert. ........................................... 25 0 0
A. K. Boomer ........... .................................. 10 0 0
James R. Benson ........................................... 25 0 0
R. McDonald, 50 acres of land ............................... 50 0 0
( 91 )
James Taylor 10 0 0
Thomas Towers 10 0 0
A.C.Hamilton 600
A. Carson, M. D 800
Charles Donaldson 29 0 0
Thomas Ball 600
F. Pafford 100
A.Boyle 500
R.A.Clarke 600
PORT MAITLAND.
Henry Imlach 20 0 0
Mrs. Col. Imlach 50 0 0
W..T. Hickes 100 0 0
H. Hatch 1 0 0
W. J. Imlach 20 0 0
H.F.Boucher 20 0 0
Mrs. Col. Johnson 500
Miss Johnson 210 0
MissSpratt 150
Robert Spratt 1 5 0
T.Boyle 2 10 0
Adam Townley, Clerk 100 0 0
DUNNVILLE.
W. C. Clarke, Clerk 25 0 0
Edward Wheeler, B. S. Stock 1210 0
MALAHIDE.
Sundry persons, per Chas. Brown 50 0 0
AMHERSTBURGH.
Lewis G. Gordon , 10 0 0
Robert Reynolds 10 0 0
ThomasPaxton 10 0 0
SarahElliott 10 0 0
R. H. B. Elliott 10 0 0
D. McCormick 500
Isaac Blong 500
Charles Lavery 500
Samuel Nutton 500
George Wilson 500
John G. Kolfage 5 0 0
Thomas H. Right 500
W. Archer 500
John Moore 500
George Gott 200
Robert T. Reynolds 500
Frederick Mack, Clerk 500
Robert Bell 500
MOSA.
Amount reported, without the names of Subscribers 62 0 0
WALPOLE ISLAND.
Andrew Jamieson, Clerk 600
MERSEA.
James W. Little, 100 acres of land 50 0 0
Henry Toll 1 5 0
Robert C. Boy er, Clerk 150
Philip Cofell 1 5 ft
( 92 )
GODEKIOH.
Edward Lindsey Elwood, Clerk 10 0 0
Morgan Hamilton 10 0 0
Thos. M. Jones, eight Shares M. B. Society 100 0 0
John Strachan, four Shares M. B. Society £50 0 0
" Town lot in Goderich 30 0 0
80 0 0
Mrs. John Strachan 20 0 0
Thos. Dark, one share B, S. Stock 1210 0
Chas. Widder, B. S. Stock 25 0 0
A. W. Strachan 25 0 0
J. Rattenbury 12 1 0 0
WOODSTOCK.
Edmund Deedes, four shares Metropolitan Building Society 50 0 0
Annie Deedes, two shares ditto 25 0 0
Richard Elwes, four shares ditto 50 0 0
Robert Deedes, four shares ditto 50 0 0
H. C. Barwick, four shares ditto 50 0 0
Walter Jones, one share ditto 1210 0
Ann Elizabeth Jones, one share ditto 1210 0
Charles Clark, one share ditto 1210 0
William Gray, one share ditto 1210 0
Thomas Smith, one share ditto 1210 0
Richard Morris, one share dilto 12 10 0
James Dagg, one share ditto 12 10 0
Richard Foquette, one share ditto 12 10 0
Thomas Scott, one share ditto 1210 0
G. W. Whitehead, one share ditto 12 10 0
Richard Cudmore, one share ditto 12 10 0
Joshua Walton, one share ditto 12 10 0
James Ingersoll, one share ditto 12 10 0
HUNTINGFORD.
Archibald H. Farmer 50 0 0
F. Fauquier, Clerk, £5, and two shares Metrop. Building Society 30 0 0
Caleb Caister, two shares ditto 25 0 0
Arthur Armstrong, one share ditto 1210 0
Alfred Har wood, one share ditto 1210 0
Henry Huntingford, two shares ditto 25 0 0
Joseph Turner 5 0 0
Robert Milman 3 0 0
John Barnes, one share Metrop. Building Society 12 10 0
Thomas Duke 2 0 0
WilliamBell 300
Samuel Macaulay 150
Mary McKnight 5 0 0
COBOURG.
A. N. Bethune, D.D-, 100 acres of land JCIOO 0 0
" Eigh t shares Metrop. Build. Soc. 100 0 0
200 0 0
D. Campbell, land in Seymour 100 0 0
Henry Ruttan, 100 acres of land 100 0 0
Hon. George S. Boulton, 400 acres of land 150 0 0
Hon. Z. Burnham, 100 acres of land 200 0 0
S. E. McKechnie (in money) 100 0 0
J. S. Thomson, two shares Metropolitan Building Society 25 0 0
T. G. Anderson, two shares ditto 25 0 0
D. E. Boulton, one share ditto 1210 0
R. D. Chatterton (in money) .T 1210 0
H. B. Jessopp, Clerk, one share Metrop. Building Society 1210 0
( 93)
H. Covert, two shares M. B. Society, £25 ; money, £25 50 0 0
G. M. Boswell, one town lot, Cobourg 50 0 0
James Cockburn, one share Metrop, Build. Society 12 10 0
Asa A. Burnham, 100 acres oi'land 100 0 0
E. Patterson, Clerk, one share Metrop. Build. Society 12 10 0
William Weller, 100 acres of land 100 0 0
J. F. Hurst, one share Metrop. Building Society 12 10 0
A. Me Nab, D.D. , two shares ditto 25 0 0
J. V. Boswell, one town lot, quarter acre 60 0 0
Wm. Gravely, one ditto ditto 60 0 0
George Boyer, one ditto ditto 60 0 0
J. B. Fortune, two shares Metrop. Building Society 25 0 0
George E. Jones, one share ditto 1210 0
E. S. Winans (in money) 1210 0
William Corrigal. two shares Metrop. Building Society 25 0 0
G. S. Daintry, two shares ditto 25 0 0
Willis McKyes, one share ditto 1210 0
George Birney (in money) 10 0 0
J. W. II. Beck, one share Metrop. Building Society 1210 0
H. Jones Ruttan, one share ditto " 12 10 0
James Calcutt, jun., one share ditto 1210 0
Lewis Styles, one share ditto 1210 0
George Goldstorie, 17 acres, 6th con. Monaghan 30 0 0
A Friend, per Ven. Archdeacon Bethune 1 0 0
DARLINGTON.
T. S. Kennedy, Clerk, one share Metrop. Build. Society 1210 0
G. H. Low, M .D., two shares ditto 25 0 0
EMILY.
Robert Harding, Clerk, B. S. Stock 25 0 0
KINGSTON.
George O'Kill Stuart, D.D., 250 acres, money 25 0 0
W. M. Herchmer, Clerk 250 0 0
The Hon. J. Macaulay, B. U. C. S. £100, 200 acres of land £150. 250 0 0
Thos. Kirkpatrick, 100 acres and one town lot.
Peter Diehl, M.D., 365 acres 100 0 0
Sarah H. Cart wright, 200 acres of land 125 0 0
John Watkins 50 0 0
H. Mulkins, Clerk 50 0 0
John McPherson, 200 acres of land, and 100 ditto valued 50 0 0
ST. MARK'S CHURCH, BARRIEFIELD.
Henry Brent, Clerk, two shares Metrop. Build. Society 25 0 0
ADOLPHUSTOWN AND FREDERICKSBURGH.
Job Deacon, Clerk 500
D. McWhiston 1 0 0
E. D'Lalaune 1 0 0
Peter V. Borland 1 0 0
Parker Allen 1 0 0
Robert Leatch 2 0 0
Boltus Shewman 1 0 0
Philip Dorland 100
Thomas Dorland 010 0
John G. Dorland 0 10 0
Thomas Neelson 100
John Hopper 100
D.McKerizie 100
Simeon W. Trumpet 0 10 0
John Church 010 0
n
(94)
NAPANEE.
Voted at the Vestry Meeting, two shares M. B. S 25 0 0
TYENDINAGA.
Voted at the Vestry Meeting 25 0 0
G. A. Anderson, Clerk, two shares M. B. Society 25 0 0
PICTON.
Cecil Mortimer 50 0 0
R.Low 50 0 0
MARYSBURGH.
John R. Tooke, Clerk 10 0 0
PORT TRENT.
William Bleasdell, Clerk, one share M. B. Society 12 10 0
H1LLIER.
Vestry of Christ's Church, Hillier, per Rev. R. G. Cox, B. S. Stock. 25 0 0
CARLETON PLACE.
A. Muloch, Clerk, B. S. Stock 25 0 0
BYTOWN.
J. B. Lewis 10 0 0
E. Sherwood 5 0 0
S. S. Strong, Clerk, first subscription 500
L. B. Lyon, 100 acres of land 25 0 0
BROCKVILLE.
George Crawford, 200 acres of land 100 0 0
D. B. 0. Ford, land 100 0 0
Ormond Jones, land 100 0 0
George Sherwood, land 25 0 0
J. Crawford, 50 acres of land 25 0 0
Edward Kerston, land 50 0 0
John Weatherhead 500
Thomas Webster 500
Charles E. Jones, land 25 0 0
W.B.Maclean 1210 0
James Jessup, two lots in Prescott 100 0 0
Richard F. Steele, 50 acres of land in Marmora
EDWARDSBURGH.
R. D. Frazer, 100 acres of land.
MATILDA.
The Committee of the Eastern District Branch of the Church Society. 25 0 0
Henry E. Plees, Clerk 25 0 0
PRESCOTT.
J. S. Merwin, 100 acres of land £37 10s., cash £25 62 10 0
AlfredHooker 100 0 0
Dunham Jones, 50 acres of land.
CORNWALL.
George S. Jarvis, 100 acres of land JC50, cash £10 0 0 60 0 0
The Hon. P. Vankoughnet, 200 acres of land.
J. Mountain, Clerk, 200 ditto.
Miss Mountain, 100 acres of land £37 10s., cash £5 42 10 0
Mrs. Mountain 40 0 0
MissPurcell 50 0 0
Mrs. Lindsay, 50 acres of land 18 15 0
Five sons of the late Rev. J. G. B. Lindsay 150
Henry Patton, two town lots £25, cash £12 10 3710 0
A. MacLean, Cornwall, 200 acres of land.
(95)
James N. Dixon
25 0
0
G. C. Wood
20 0
0
P. E. Adams
15 0
0
12 0
0
10 0
0
B. G. French
10 0
0
5 0
0
A Member of the Church
5 0
0
Solomon Raymond
2 10
0
2 10
0
P. G. Mulhern
1 5
0
Edward Chesley
1 5
0
G. S. Cox
1 5
0
John Smith
1 5
0
Jacob Gallinger
2 10
0
John Hess
1 5
0
Benjamin Gallinger
1 5
0
John Hartle
1 5
0
Edward Farlinger
1 0
0
OSNABRUCK.
R. H. Bullock
2 10
0
W. H. Wagner
2 10
0
1 5
0
2 10
0
C. Michal
1 0
0
George Sampson
0 10
0
0 10
0
J. H. Maxwell
1 5
0
David Doran
0 15
0
0 15
0
1 5
0
R. Rolph, Clerk
2 10
0
WEST HAWKESBURY.
J. T. Lewis, Clerk, two shares Metropolitan Building Society ....
George Hamilton, six shares ditto
25 0
75 0
0
0
John Hamilton, four shares ditto
50 0
0
ERRATA.
Page 66, line 11 — for "constitution" read an institution.
" 68, line 20— for " erected" read created.
" 69, line 15 — for "member" read members.
" 70, line 14— for " also" read who.
« « « 24 — omit " the" before " Universities."
" 71, line 8 — after "of" insert "supporting."
« « « 19__ for "paltry" read party.
" 73, line 3 from bottom — a full stop after " designed.
" 74, line 1 — for "sacred" read sound.
" 75, line 26 — for "members" read ministers.
" 113, line 25 — for " begotton" read begotten.
" 143, line 28— for "may" read mil.
« « « 29— for " will shine" read has shone.
« « « 43_ for " can" read will
it it tt 44 — for "afford" read secure.
« « « 44 — for " prepared" read prepare.
" 151 — in Latin quotation, for " telia" read talia.
APPENDIX.
Page 29, last line— for "us" read it.
" 80, line 31— for "highly" read lightly.
t
»
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